Should you visit Riga or Lyon?
Should I visit Riga or Lyon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
Which city is cheaper, Lyon or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €82, while the average daily cost in Lyon is €100. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Lyon in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Riga the cost is €84 on average.
A hotel room in Lyon is about €84 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Riga food costs typically run travelers around €26 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Lyon cost around €33 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €13.
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Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Lyon €33
Typical Food prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
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Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Typical Food prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
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Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise:
$67
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Presqu'île Food Tour with a Local Guide:
$68
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Lyon Old Town Walking Guided Food Tour:
$68
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Half-Day Gourmet Food Tour with Tastings:
$78
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Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch:
$93
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Old Town Food Tour:
$102
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Secret Food Tour:
$107
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Lyon Old Town Five Tasting Stops Walking Food Tour with Lunch:
$108
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Lyon Quais Saint Antoine Private Gastronomic Food Tour:
$111
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Lyon:
$137
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Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour:
$217
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Food tour in Lyon:
$258
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Riga is €12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Lyon is €14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City to Riga RIX Airport:
$15
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Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
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Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
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Private Transfer: Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$21
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English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
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Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
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Private Minibus Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$27
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Private Taxi transfer from Jurmala to Riga:
$27
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Private Minivan Transfer: Riga City Center to Riga Airport:
$37
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Transfer service Riga airport:
$37
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
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Private Airport Transfer: Lyon to Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS):
$47
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Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer:
$49
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Lyon-Bron Airport to Lyon City - One Way:
$65
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Lyon Private Transfer : Port of LYON to Lyon Railway Stations in Business Car:
$65
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Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car:
$66
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Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$75
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Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van:
$87
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Private Airport Transfer Service:
$90
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Private Departure Transfer: Lyon Hotel to Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport:
$91
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupery:
$91
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Private Arrival Transfer: Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupery to Lyon Hotel:
$91
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Departure Private Transfers from Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car:
$95
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Lyon?
Prices for flights to both Lyon 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.
Entertainment
Riga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Lyon's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €16 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
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An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
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Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
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Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads:
$8.28
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Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
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Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
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Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
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Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
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Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
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Lyon City Historic Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour (English):
$3.82
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Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English):
$3.82
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Private Lyon Ghost Tour: Haunted City Center Exploration Game:
$8.70
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1-Hour City Tram Audio-Guided Tour:
$9.22
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Lyon Croix-Rousse City Tram Tour with Audio Guide:
$11
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Haunted Lyon City Exploration Game & Tour:
$11
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Lyon Museum of Cinema Miniature Admission Ticket:
$12
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Storytelling Tour of Croix-Rousse:
$15
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Guided Sightseeing Cruise:
$15
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1-Hour Discovery Tour by Boat:
$17
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Ticket to Mini World Lyon Museum:
$17
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Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$22
Alcohol
The average person spends about €16 on alcoholic beverages in Riga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €19 on alcoholic beverages in Lyon per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Pub Crawl in Riga:
$37
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Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
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Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
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Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
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Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
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Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
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Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting in Riga:
$765
Typical Alcohol prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2
€6.80
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Bottle of Wine
€15
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Beaujolais Segway Tour With Wine Tasting:
$52
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Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon:
$101
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Half-Day Vienne & Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour:
$101
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Half-Day Beaujolais Wine Tour from Lyon:
$101
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Northern Rhône Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Lyon:
$111
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Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais:
$112
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The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Afternoon - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$114
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The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Morning - Small Group Tours from Lyon:
$114
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Beaujolais Gourmet Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon:
$123
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Macon & Beaujolais Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$147
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Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$153
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Beaujolais Region Vineyard Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lyon:
$160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Riga.
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