Which place is cheaper, Manila or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Manila? 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 Manila?
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.
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Manila €86
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Manila is €86. 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 Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Manila €50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Manila €100
Compare Hotels in Riga and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Manila? 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 Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Manila €13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $26
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $53
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $71
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido Transfer: $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila 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 €33Manila €16
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 Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Manila €18
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: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.53
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.50
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.69
- Discover Riga's Art Nouveau Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Manila €9.16
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: $38
- 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: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Manila, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Manila is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Manila, 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 Manila?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Manila experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Riga or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Riga is much colder than Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Manila. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Riga or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Manila. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Manila. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Riga or Manila in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Manila. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Riga can get quite cold in the winter. Riga is much colder than Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Manila. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Riga or Manila in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Manila. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Riga
| Riga | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (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.