A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Levi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Riga or Levi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Riga or Levi? 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 Levi?

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.

Levi

Levi is a micro city or resort town in the village if Sirkka in Finnish Lapland. In Levi, being impressed by the natural surroundings is inescapable: from river valleys and frozen lakes up to the fells with spectacular views over the Lappish landscape, Levi is all about northern nature at its best. During the winter months, from mid-November to mid-May, Levi is Finland's most popular ski resort with a total of 44 runs serviced by 28 lifts. Its Samiland Exhibition explores the culture of the indigenous Sami people through photos, objects and recreated buildings. Nearby is Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park, with its Arctic fells and remains of the Linkupalo Volcano.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Levi or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Levi is €127. 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 Levi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 53
    Levi 61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 106
    Levi 122
Compare Hotels in Riga and Levi

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Levi? 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.

Hotels in Riga


Hotels in Levi


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 Levi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 15
    Levi 49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $267
  • Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $138
  • Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
  • Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $131
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
  • Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
  • Riga Airport Transfer: $33
  • Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $487

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Levi?

Prices for flights to both Levi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Riga 33
    Levi 34
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • 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 Latvian Food Tour: $42
  • Unique Food Tour: $52
  • Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
  • Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
  • Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
  • Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
  • Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 21
    Levi 29

Tours and Activities in Riga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:

  • The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
  • 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
  • 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
  • 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $86
  • 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
  • ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
  • Beer Bike Experience : $36
  • Best of Riga Walking Tour: $181
  • Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
  • City:canal:tour: $21
  • Crafted Cocktails: A Masterclass Experience: $80
  • Daily Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Levi 9.29

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: $25
  • Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
  • Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
  • Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
  • Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
  • Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
  • Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
  • Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Levi, we can see that Levi is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Levi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Levi than you might in Riga.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Levi Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Riga or Levi?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Riga or Levi in the Summer?

Both Levi and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Riga is generally a little warmer than Levi. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Levi fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Levi. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Levi receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Levi 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Riga or Levi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Levi. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Levi in the autumn. Riga is much warmer than Levi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Levi fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Levi. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Levi receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Levi 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Riga or Levi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Levi. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Levi. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much warmer than Levi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Levi averages at about -15°C (5°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in January than Levi. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Levi receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Levi -15°C (5°F)

Should I visit Riga or Levi in the Spring?

Both Levi and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Levi can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Riga is generally much warmer than Levi. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Levi fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Levi. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Levi receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Levi -1°C (30°F)

Typical Weather for Levi and Riga

Riga Levi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -15°C (5°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) -13°C (8°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -8°C (18°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -1°C (30°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 7°C (45°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 0°C (33°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -8°C (19°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) -13°C (9°F) 24 mm (1 in)