Which place is cheaper, Minsk or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Minsk?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Minsk? 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 Minsk?
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.
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Minsk €59
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Minsk is €59. 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 Minsk in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Minsk €29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Minsk €58
Compare Hotels in Riga and Minsk
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Minsk? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Minsk €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City Center: $32
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Private Transfer From Riga City Center To Riga Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $92
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $105
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $132
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Minsk?
Prices for flights to both Minsk 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 €33Minsk €19
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.
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $110
- Medieval Dinner on the 12th Century at Rozengrals: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Minsk €18
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $5.20
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $6.20
- Art Nouveau in Written & Audio Guides Tour: $8.88
- Latvian History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Riga’s Old Town: $8.99
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $12
- Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat: $14
- Riga Art Nouveau walking tour: $16
- Riga Old Town walking tour: $16
- Old Riga — Self-Guided Tour and Walking City Quest: $22
- Riga Art Nouveau — Walking Quest and Self-Guided Tour: $22
- Private Boat Tour experience in Riga (City Canal and Daugava): $24
- Riga old town I Self-guided city adventure tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Minsk €13
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide! : $31
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Minsk, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Minsk Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Minsk?
Minsk has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Minsk, 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 Minsk?
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 Minsk in the Summer?
Both Minsk and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is cooler than Minsk in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Minsk fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Minsk. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Minsk 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Riga or Minsk in the Autumn?
Both Minsk and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Riga is cooler than Minsk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Minsk averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Minsk. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Minsk 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Riga or Minsk in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Minsk. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Minsk can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Minsk. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Minsk fluctuates around -5°C (22°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Minsk. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Minsk -5°C (22°F)
Should I visit Riga or Minsk in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Minsk. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Riga is cooler than Minsk in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Minsk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Minsk. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Minsk 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Minsk and Riga
| Riga | Minsk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.