A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Monaco for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Families

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Should you visit Riga or Monaco?

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

Should I visit Riga or Monaco? 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.

Riga

Riga is a unique, historical, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Monaco

Monaco is a glamorous, captivating, and thrilling coastal resort area. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Riga and Monaco: Pros and Cons

Riga
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less popular with couples
Monaco
Pros
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


How is Riga different from Monaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Monaco and Riga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Riga or Monaco Better for Food?

Riga
Monaco

Both Riga and Monaco offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

Monaco has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.


Is Riga or Monaco Better for Nightlife?

Riga
Monaco

Evening events are similar in both Riga and Monaco.

Riga is a world class party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

Monaco is a must-see party destination. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

Is Riga or Monaco Better for Shopping?

Riga
Monaco

Both Riga and Monaco are good shopping destinations.

Riga is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

Many people travel to Monaco specifically to go shopping. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

Is Riga or Monaco Better for Families?

Riga
Monaco

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Monaco.

Riga is a family-friendly place to visit. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

Monaco is not always a place people visit with their families. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Riga or Monaco Better for Couples?

Riga
Monaco

While Riga and Monaco are both popular destinations, overall Monaco is considered to be a more popular choice.

Monaco makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

Riga is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.


Is Riga or Monaco Better for Public Transit?

Riga
Monaco

Both Riga and Monaco offer public transit options.

Riga has some very good public transit options. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Monaco has some public transit options. There is a bus system.

Is Riga or Monaco a more walkable city?

Riga
Monaco

Riga and Monaco both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Riga is a very walkable city. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Monaco. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

Should I spend more time in Monaco or Riga?

How long in Riga or Monaco?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Riga and Monaco. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Riga than Monaco.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Monaco is 1-3 days.


  • How many days in Riga or Monaco? Ideal Length of Stay
    Riga 2-4 
    Monaco 1-3

One day in Riga or Monaco?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Monaco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Monaco?

Riga is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Monaco is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


Five days in Riga or Monaco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the thrilling big city of Monaco. This coastal resort area offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Monaco?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the unique destination of Riga. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The posh coastal resort area of Monaco offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Which place is cheaper, Monaco or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €103, while the average daily cost in Monaco is €189. 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 Monaco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga €53
    Monaco €119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga €106
    Monaco €238
Compare Hotels in Riga and Monaco

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Monaco? 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 Monaco


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
    Monaco €17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Airport transfer & private driver services: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minibus: $93
  • Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan: $46
  • Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car: $26
  • English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport: $25
  • English Speaking Private Departure Transfer to Riga Airport: $37
  • English Speaking Private Minibus Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport: $49
  • Mercedes-Benz Viano Van Transfer from Riga to Vilnius/Talinn/Any Baltic Country: $425
  • PanCars CITY RACE + airport/hotel transfer: $81
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX): $18
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX): $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Monaco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Monaco:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Monaco Hotels to Nice Airport: $65
  • Monaco Transfer: Monaco Cruise Port to Nice Airport: $80
  • Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE: $98
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfers from Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $118
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $124
  • Nice Airport Transfers : Monaco City to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Car: $157
  • Monaco Private Transfer from Monaco-Ville to Nice Airport: $174
  • Between Monaco and Nice: Single Helicopter Transfer: $199
  • Private transfer: Monaco Airport (MCM) to Monaco: $622

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Monaco?

Prices for flights to both Monaco 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 €32
    Monaco €53
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.

  • Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga: $12
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $34
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $102
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga €21
    Monaco €23

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: $5.00
  • Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour: $5.00
  • Riga Art Nouveau walking tour: $8.71
  • Classic Car Museum Tour: $9.95
  • Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat: $16
  • Gastronomic tour with professional chef: $19
  • The Best Of Riga Walking Tour: $22
  • Daily Riga Bike Tour: $22
  • The Best Of Riga Walking Tour: $23
  • Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours: $25

Typical Entertainment prices in Monaco

Here are a few typical costs in Monaco for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Grand Prix for Two
    €101

Tours and Activities in Monaco

Here are a few actual costs in Monaco for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Ticket: $20
  • Monaco Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $29
  • Nice: Guided Monte-Carlo Tour: $45
  • From Nice: Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo Half-Day Tour: $51
  • Monte-Carlo and Monaco sightseeing walking tour with an expert guide: $56
  • Full-Day Small Group Tour to Monaco and Eze: $90
  • From Cannes: Monaco Small Group Night Tour: $96
  • From Nice: Full-Day Monaco, Monte-Carlo & Eze Tour: $104
  • Group tour of French Riviera from the port of Monaco/Monte-Carlo: $112
  • Helicopter Sightseeing Flight: $164
  • Monaco 30/60-Minute Ferrari Driving Experience: $172
  • Lamborghini Sports Car Experience from Monaco: $211

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga €19
    Monaco €26

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 in Riga: $37
  • Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $47
  • Riga Public Pub Crawl: $60
  • Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $64
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $83
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $83
  • Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $83
  • Riga Wine Tasting Session: $115
  • Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting: $149
  • Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis: $224
  • Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga: $380
  • 1.5-Hour Latvian Wine Tasting Experience: $476

Sample the Local Flavors in Monaco

Also in Monaco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Authentic Wine Tasting Experience: $48
  • Monaco Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Nice and Eze with Wine Tasting: $657
  • Private St-Jeannet, St-Paul-de-Vence, and Wine Tour from Monaco: $843

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Monaco, we can see that Monaco 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 Monaco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monaco than you might in Riga.

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Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

Metropole Hotel by Semarah From $115 Neiburgs Hotel From $70 Avalon Hotel & Conferences From $64 Hotel Gutenbergs From $81 Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel Riga From $80
View Hotels in Riga

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Riga vs. Monaco Travel Comparison

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