Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Plzen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Plzen? 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 Plzen?
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.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Plzen €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Riga and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Plzen? 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 Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Plzen €7.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen 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 €33Plzen €29
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Plzen €20
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
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Plzen €22
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Plzen, we can see that Riga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Plzen?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Plzen, 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 Plzen?
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 Plzen in the Summer?
Both Plzen and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Riga is generally cooler than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In July, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Plzen. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Riga or Plzen in the Autumn?
Both Plzen and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Riga is cooler than Plzen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Plzen. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Riga or Plzen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Plzen. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Riga can be very cold. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Plzen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Plzen averages at about -1°C (31°F).
In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Plzen. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Riga or Plzen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Plzen. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Plzen. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Riga
| Riga | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.