Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Podgorica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Podgorica €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Riga and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Podgorica €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $26
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $53
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $71
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
- Private Transfer to Budva: $39
- Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
- Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Private transfer to Tivat: $54
- Private transfer to Kotor: $54
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
- Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 €33Podgorica €41
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: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Podgorica €21
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: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.53
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.50
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.69
- Discover Riga's Art Nouveau Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.23
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
- Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
- Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
- Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
- From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
- Walking tour, all the secrets of Podgorica: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Podgorica €20
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: $38
- 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: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $78
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
- Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Podgorica, we can see that Podgorica 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 Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Podgorica?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
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 Podgorica in the Summer?
Both Podgorica 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.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Riga or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica 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.
Riga is much colder than Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Riga or Podgorica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Podgorica. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Riga or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Podgorica. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Riga usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Riga
| Riga | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.