Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Riga or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Kingston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Kingston?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Kingston €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Kingston is €105. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Kingston €53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Kingston €106
Compare Hotels in Riga and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Kingston? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Kingston €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $90
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $78
- Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $138
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayRiga €57Kingston €38
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Kingston €10
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Kingston €9.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Kingston, we can see that Riga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Riga is in Europe and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Kingston, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Riga or Kingston?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Riga or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Kingston. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Riga is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Kingston. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Kingston. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Kingston. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga can be very cold during winter. Riga is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Kingston. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Riga
| Riga | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.