Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Riga or Pokhara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Pokhara? 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 Pokhara?
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.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Riga Prices
Latvia PricesPokhara Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Pokhara €19
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is €19. 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 Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Pokhara €2.99
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Pokhara €5.98
Compare Hotels in Riga and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Pokhara? 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 Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Pokhara €5.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga by Sedan: $37
- Baltic Explorer Private Riga–Tallinn/Tallinn–Riga Transfer & Tour: $205
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minibus: $120
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $161
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Pärnu City Tour: $680
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $494
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $448
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Riga Airport with English speaking driver: $56
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
-
Short Taxi Ride€0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike With Transfers: $45
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: Premium Private Car Transfer: $130
- "Exclusive Round-Trip Transfer: Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath": $191
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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 dayRiga €57Pokhara €11
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.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $69
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
-
Dinner for Two€3.44
-
Dessert (for 2)€2.29
-
Pastries€1.15
-
Dinner€4.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Pokhara €5.55
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Riga Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.58
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: Riga's Century of Shadows and Light: $5.48
- Old Riga E-Cart Guided Tour with Local Driver & Audio Guide: $6.87
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
- Riga Historic Boat Tour with Audio Guide and Captain Stories: $10
- Old Riga Walking Tour: Discover Stories and Legends: $10
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Riga Sightseeing by Canal Boat with Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Boat Tour from Central Market with Audio Guide: $11
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Old Town E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $12
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $11
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara Tourist Bus luxurious Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu: to Chitwan By Luxurious Sofa Tourist Bus or Back: $12
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $13
- Tourist Bus: Chitwan to Pokhara or Pokhara to Chitwan: $14
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Sofa Bus: $14
- Tourist Bus Pokhara to Kathmandu (Luxury Sofa Seat): $14
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Pokhara €5.01
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 with Local Guide: $29
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
- 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
- Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
- Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Pokhara, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Pokhara is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Pokhara?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Pokhara, 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.
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.