Which place is cheaper, Tihany or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Tihany?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Tihany? 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 Tihany?
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.
Tihany
Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Tihany €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Tihany is €41. 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 Tihany in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Tihany €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Tihany €36
Compare Hotels in Riga and Tihany
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Tihany? 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 Tihany Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Tihany €10
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Tihany?
Prices for flights to both Tihany 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 €33Tihany €17
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 €21Tihany €4.52
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 Tihany
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tihany.
- Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum Entrance Ticket: $5.45
- Lake Balaton: Paddle Board Tour of Tihany National Park: $43
- Lake Balaton: Sunset SUP Tour Tihany: $43
- The best of Keszthely walking tour: $98
- Romantic tour around Keszthely for couples: $98
- Special Magical Christmas Walking Tour in Keszthely: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Tihany €6.17
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 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
Sample the Local Flavors in Tihany
Also in Tihany, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Budapest: Wine Tasting At Balaton Full Day Private Tour: $1,219
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Tihany, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Tihany.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Tihany Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Tihany?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 520 times larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Tihany, 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 Tihany?
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 Tihany in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Tihany. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Riga is cooler than Tihany in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Tihany fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Tihany. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Tihany 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tihany in the Autumn?
Both Tihany and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Tihany. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Tihany averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Tihany. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Tihany 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tihany in the Winter?
Both Tihany and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tihany can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Tihany. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Tihany fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Tihany. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Tihany -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Riga or Tihany in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Tihany. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Riga is much colder than Tihany in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tihany. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Tihany 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Tihany and Riga
| Riga | Tihany | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 27 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.