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

Should you visit Riga or Linkoping?

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

Should I visit Riga or Linkoping? 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 Linkoping?

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.

Linkoping

Linkoping is in the northern portion of the Gotaland region and is the capital of Ostergotland county. The city has all of the amenities of a larger city, but manages to maintain the feel and atmosphere of a quaint small town. This is mainly due to the lack of tall buildings within the city limits. Building height is restricted by the nearby military airfield, so Linkoping has a cosy ambiance that leads you to believe that you're somewhere hidden away. The university that is located here also helps create the feel of a college town. The students are well integrated into city life and help bring energy and entertainment to town, both in the form of cultural events during the day as well and an active night life in the evening.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Stockholm, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Stockholm.


Which place is cheaper, Linkoping 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 Linkoping is €102. 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 Linkoping in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 53
    Linkoping 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 106
    Linkoping 100
Compare Hotels in Riga and Linkoping

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Linkoping? 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 Linkoping


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 15
    Linkoping 17

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 Minibus: $90
  • From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $150
  • From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $342
  • From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $459
  • From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $427
  • From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $230
  • From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $182
  • Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
  • Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
  • Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
  • Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Linkoping?

Prices for flights to both Linkoping 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
    Linkoping 38
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
    Linkoping 22

Tours and Activities in Riga

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
  • Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.49
  • Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
  • Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.62
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
  • Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Linkoping 18

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 comparing the travel costs between Riga and Linkoping, 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Riga or Linkoping?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Linkoping. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Linkoping, 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 Linkoping?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Riga or Linkoping in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Linkoping. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Linkoping. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Linkoping fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Linkoping. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Linkoping receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Linkoping 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Riga or Linkoping in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Linkoping. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.

Riga is around the same temperature as Linkoping in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Linkoping fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in October than Linkoping. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Linkoping receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Linkoping 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Riga or Linkoping in the Winter?

Both Linkoping and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Linkoping can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Linkoping. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Linkoping averages at about -3°C (28°F).

In January, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Linkoping. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Linkoping receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Linkoping -3°C (28°F)

Should I visit Riga or Linkoping in the Spring?

Both Linkoping and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Linkoping. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Linkoping fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in April than Linkoping. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Linkoping receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Linkoping 6°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Linkoping and Riga

Riga Linkoping
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (28°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) -3°C (27°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (33°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) -1°C (30°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)