Which place is cheaper, Maribor or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Maribor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Maribor? 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 Maribor?
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.
Maribor
Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.
The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.
Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Maribor €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Maribor is €76. 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 Maribor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Maribor €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Maribor €88
Compare Hotels in Riga and Maribor
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Maribor? 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 Maribor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Maribor €8.73
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Maribor
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:
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Gondola (for 2)€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:
- Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city: $250
- Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Maribor?
Prices for flights to both Maribor 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 €33Maribor €26
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: $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
Typical Food Prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)€24
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Gostilnica Navogalu Cafe Lunch€7.50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Maribor €8.57
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Maribor €11
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:
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Bottle of Wine€12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Maribor, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Maribor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Maribor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Maribor 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 Maribor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Maribor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Maribor?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Maribor. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Maribor, 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 Maribor?
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 Maribor in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Maribor. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Riga is cooler than Maribor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Maribor averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Maribor. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Maribor 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Riga or Maribor in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Maribor. 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.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Maribor. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in October than Maribor. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Maribor 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Riga or Maribor in the Winter?
Both Maribor and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Maribor. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is much colder than Maribor in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Maribor fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Maribor. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Maribor 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Riga or Maribor in the Spring?
Both Maribor and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Maribor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Maribor averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Maribor. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Maribor 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Maribor and Riga
| Riga | Maribor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.