A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Tbilisi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Riga or Tbilisi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Riga or Tbilisi? 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 Tbilisi?

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.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

Which place is cheaper, Tbilisi or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Tbilisi is €27. 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 Tbilisi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 53
    Tbilisi 12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 106
    Tbilisi 24
Compare Hotels in Riga and Tbilisi

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Tbilisi? 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.

Hotels in Riga


Hotels in Tbilisi


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 15
    Tbilisi 5.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $140
  • Riga Limo Airport Transfer : $165
  • Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $97
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $53
  • 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 Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
  • Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $60
  • Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $494
  • Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $105
  • Private Transfer from Riga Cruise Port to Riga Airport RIX: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Tbilisi City to Tbilisi Airport: $10
  • Airport Shuttle and Transfer Service: $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi Hotels: $14
  • Batumi airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $16
  • Tbilisi Private Airport Transfer: $17
  • Tbilisi Airport Shuttle And Transfer Service: $18
  • Tbilisi Private Arrival Airport Transfer: $19
  • Tbilisi Airport Private Transfer service: $21
  • Tbilisi Airport Transfers: Tbilisi Airport TBS to Tbilisi City in Standard Car: $22
  • Tbilisi Airport to Hotel Private Transfer : $23
  • Tbilisi Airport to Hotel Transfer: $24
  • Tbilisi Airoport Private Transfer Service: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Tbilisi?

Prices for flights to both Tbilisi 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 day
    Riga 33
    Tbilisi 7.39
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.

  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
  • Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Middle East Evening with Live Singers and Dinner in Tbilisi: $40
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Vegetarian Georgian Cooking Class: $78
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $90
  • Traditional Georgian Food - Cooking Masterclass at Family: $103
  • Nana's Kitchen - traditional Georgian cooking class at real Georgian family home: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 21
    Tbilisi 13

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: $76
  • 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $244
  • 2 Day Kurzeme Winery Tour: $204
  • 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town : $60
  • 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $87
  • 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $87
  • 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $83
  • ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $144
  • Beer Bike Experience : $36
  • Best of Riga Walking Tour: $184
  • Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
  • Crafted Cocktails: A Masterclass Experience: $81

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Experimentorium Ticket: $5.45
  • Old Town Walking Tour: $9.50
  • Afternoon Walking tour of Old Town: $10
  • Walking Tour in Old Tbilisi - Group Tour: $12
  • From Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, and Ananuri: Group Tour: $12
  • Highlands Tour: Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri, and Zhinvali: $12
  • Underground Printing House Museum Tour in Tbilisi: $13
  • Tbilisi Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • First impression of Tbilisi-3 hours walking tour: $13
  • Guided History, Culture & Architecture Walking Tour: $14
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • One-day tour to the birthplace of wine, the city of love: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Tbilisi 17

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 Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $35
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
  • Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $54
  • Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $71
  • Riga Wine Tasting Session: $104
  • Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $531
  • Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,371

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $18
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $19
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $20
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format: $24
  • Kakheti: Bodbe (Monastery), Sighnaghi (Love city), Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi: $24
  • From Kakheti Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Tbilisi, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Tbilisi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Riga or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Tbilisi, 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.