Which place is cheaper, Tampere or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Tampere?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Tampere? 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 Tampere?
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.
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Tampere €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Tampere is €148. 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 Tampere in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Tampere €80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Tampere €160
Compare Hotels in Riga and Tampere
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Tampere? 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 Tampere Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Tampere €59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $487
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $459
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $427
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $342
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $267
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $230
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $182
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $150
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $138
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $131
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere
Also for Tampere, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $87
- Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport: $1,577
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Tampere?
Prices for flights to both Tampere 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 €33Tampere €33
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 €21Tampere €24
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $86
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $181
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $21
- Crafted Cocktails: A Masterclass Experience: $80
- Daily Bike Tour in Riga with Professional Guide: $44
Tours and Activities in Tampere
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.
- Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $180
- Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $523
- Enchanting Tampere Romantic Walking Tour: $659
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Tampere €10
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Tampere, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere than you might in Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Tampere Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Tampere?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Tampere, 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 Tampere?
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 Tampere in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Tampere. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Riga is around the same temperature as Tampere in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tampere. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Tampere 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tampere in the Autumn?
Both Tampere and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Riga is a little warmer than Tampere. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Tampere averages at about 5°C (42°F).
In October, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tampere 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)Tampere 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tampere in the Winter?
Both Tampere and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tampere can be very cold during winter. Riga can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Riga is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Tampere. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Tampere -7°C (19°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tampere in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Tampere. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Tampere can be very cold. Riga is much warmer than Tampere in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Tampere. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Tampere 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Tampere and Riga
| Riga | Tampere | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.