Which place is cheaper, Moscow or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Moscow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Moscow? 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 Moscow?
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.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Moscow €61
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Moscow is €61. 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 Moscow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Moscow €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Moscow €76
Compare Hotels in Riga and Moscow
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Moscow? 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 €15Moscow €5.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $132
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $105
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City Center: $32
- Private Transfer From Riga City Center To Riga Airport: $44
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $185
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $92
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes€1.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Tengah to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $41
- Private Transfer from Kedungsari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $41
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kedungsari: $41
- Private Transfer from Sidomulyo Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $41
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Barat: $41
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Tengah: $41
- Private Transfer from Kota Baru to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Rhu to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Pekanbaru City: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kota Baru: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Labuh Baru Barat: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tanah Datar: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Moscow?
Prices for flights to both Moscow 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 €33Moscow €14
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
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two€5.77
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Lunch in the Center Market€3.14
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Breakfast for 2€10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Moscow €15
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $28
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $88
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $83
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $12
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $5.20
- Art Nouveau in Written & Audio Guides Tour: $8.88
- Daily Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide: $44
- For Japanese: Riga Old Town Walking Tour: $42
- Full Day Private Tour in Rundale Palace from Riga: $159
- Group Tour: Sigulda and Turaida from Riga.: $133
- Group day trip from Riga to Hill of Crosses - 5 hour day tour!: $72
- Guided Ebike Tour on Forest Roads and Trails Near Riga: $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets€12
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Kremlin Entry (2)€10
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Palembang - ONE DAY CITY TOUR & SUNGAI MUSI: $82
- 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour in Bengkulu: $145
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Moscow €7.62
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 Moscow, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Moscow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Moscow?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Moscow, 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 Moscow?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Riga or Moscow in the Summer?
Both Moscow and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Riga is generally cooler than Moscow. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Moscow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in July than Moscow. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Moscow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Riga or Moscow in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Moscow. 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.
Riga is a little warmer than Moscow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Moscow fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In October, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Moscow. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Moscow 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Riga or Moscow in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Moscow. 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 Moscow. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much warmer than Moscow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Moscow averages at about -8°C (17°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Moscow. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Moscow -8°C (17°F)
Should I visit Riga or Moscow in the Spring?
Both Moscow and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Riga is generally cooler than Moscow. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Moscow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Moscow. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Moscow 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Moscow and Riga
| Riga | Moscow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 52 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.