Should you visit Riga or Prague?
Should I visit Riga or Prague? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Prague
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Central Europe. Prague has long enticed travelers for its beautiful architecture, impressive bridges, detailed cathedrals, and fascinating history. Prague is unique in that is remained almost completely undamaged during World War II. The medieval city center still feels like you've stepped back in time. Despite this historic atmosphere, there is still a lot of vibrant energy and you'll find many different live music venues, art galleries, modern restaurants, and unique festivals throughout the year.
Which city is cheaper, Prague or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €82, while the average daily cost in Prague is €79. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Prague in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Riga the cost is €84 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €96 for a double occupancy room in Prague.
Food
Riga food costs typically run travelers around €26 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
In Prague travelers spend around €19 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Prague €19
Typical Food prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
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Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
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Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Typical Food prices in Prague
Some typical examples of dining costs in Prague are as follows:
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Fruit
€3.89
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Lunch for One
€12
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Bananas
€0.55
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Cookies
€0.31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Prague.
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Prague City Tour by Bus With Optional Boat Tour, Charles Bridge Museum and Dinner:
$15
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Traditional Balkan Burek cooking class and dinner in Prague for small groups:
$59
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Mozart Concert and Dinner in Prague:
$82
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Roman pasta cooking class and dinner in Prague:
$90
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Czech Folklore Show with dinner and private transfer:
$96
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Dinner cruise - open buffet - with 2 incl transfers:
$106
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Folklore Evening Including Traditional Czech Dinner in Prague:
$107
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Medieval dinner in Prague with incl transports:
$118
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Prague Cooking Class with Tereza:
$121
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Czech Traditional Folklore Show including Dinner and Transport:
$159
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Prague Cooking Class Including Market Visit and 3-Course Lunch:
$173
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Private Prague Food Tour:
$174
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Riga is €12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Prague is €5.99 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City to Riga RIX Airport:
$15
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Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
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Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
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Private Transfer: Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$21
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English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
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Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
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Private Minibus Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$27
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Private Taxi transfer from Jurmala to Riga:
$27
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Private Minivan Transfer: Riga City Center to Riga Airport:
$37
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Transfer service Riga airport:
$37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:
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Ultra - Prague Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Prague Airport PRG:
$8.71
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Prague Airport Shared Departure Transfer:
$12
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Prague Airport Shared Arrival Transfer And Half-Day City Walking Tour:
$13
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Shared Departure Transfer: Prague Hotel to Prague Airport:
$14
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Private Airport Transfer: from Prague to Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG):
$17
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Private Airport Transfer: Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) to Prague:
$17
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Private Departure Transfer from Prague to Prague Airports:
$17
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Private Departure Transfer from Prague City Center to Vaclav Airport (PRG):
$18
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Private Arrival Transfer from Vaclav Airport (PRG) to Prague City Center:
$18
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Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Prague Airport:
$19
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Prague City Center to Airport:
$21
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Private Prague Airport Arrival Transfer:
$25
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Prague?
Prices for flights to both Prague 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.
Entertainment
Riga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Prague's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €12 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
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An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
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Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
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Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads:
$8.28
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Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
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Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
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Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
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Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
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Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Prague
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Prague are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Prague
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Prague are as follows:
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Skip the Line: Prague Botanical Garden Outdoor Exposition Ticket:
$4.35
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Entrance Ticket:
$5.29
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Entrance Ticket:
$6.22
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Skip the Line: iFriday & iWeekend at Apple Museum: Discount PASS Ticket:
$6.84
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Skip the Line: iMonday at Apple Museum: Discount PASS Ticket:
$7.09
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Skip the Line: Prague - Papilonia - Butterfly House Ticket:
$7.71
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Skip the Line: Apple Museum in Prague Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
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Skip the Line Access to LEGO® Museum in the Centre of Prague:
$9.21
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Skip-the-Line Prague National Film Museum Ticket:
$11
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Everyday Prague Tour:
$11
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Skip the Line: iTuesday & iWednesday at Apple Museum: Discount PASS Ticket:
$11
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Skip the Line: iThursday at Apple Museum: Discount PASS Ticket:
$12
Alcohol
The average person spends about €16 on alcoholic beverages in Riga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €8.13 on alcoholic beverages in Prague per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Pub Crawl in Riga:
$37
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Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
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Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
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Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
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Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
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Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
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Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting in Riga:
$765
Typical Alcohol prices in Prague
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Prague from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Prague
Also in Prague, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Taste wine properly - wine tasting session:
$30
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Private Karlovy Vary with Royal Brewery or Mozer Full Day Trip:
$128
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Private Kutna Hora with Sedlec Ossuary and Local brewery Full Day Trip:
$149
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Pilsner Urquell brewery and Pilsen City Private tour from Prague All-Inclusive:
$199
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Prague Wine Tasting and Countryside Small-Group Tour with Lunch:
$215
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Private Tour: Chateau Lany and Krakovec Castle and Krusovice Royal Brewery from Prague Including Tasting and Czech Lunch:
$217
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Pilsner Urquell brewery private day trip and cheese tasting on family eco-farm:
$220
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Private Pilsner Urquell brewery, Pilsen City and Bohemian Glass factory day tour:
$230
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Private Walking Tour Prague with Lunch and Pilsner Urquell brewery day trip:
$236
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Pilsner Urquell brewery Private day trip, Pilsen City and Koneprusy Caves:
$236
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Pilsner Urquell brewery Private day trip, Pilsen City and Chateau tour + Lunch:
$243
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Pilsner Urquell brewery Private day trip, Chateau and Cheese tasting on eco-farm:
$249
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Prague, 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.
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