Which place is cheaper, Uppsala or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Riga or Uppsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Uppsala? 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 Uppsala?
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.
Uppsala
Uppsala is a college town in Sweden, located about 40 minutes north of Stockholm. Home to two universities, Uppsala is the 4th largest city in Sweden and features a huge diversity in culture. The Fyris River divides the city into the historic and modern sides of the city, each one with their own unique culture and sights to see. The area features fairly cool weather year-round, with temperatures in the 30's Fahrenheit from November-April and May-October seeing temperatures in the 40's and 50's Fahrenheit. The best time to visit it from May-July when temperatures are at their highest and there's plenty of sunshine.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Sweden, and The Best Budget Tours to Sweden.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesUppsala Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Uppsala €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Uppsala is €156. 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 Uppsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Uppsala €88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Uppsala €176
Compare Hotels in Riga and Uppsala
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Uppsala? 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 Uppsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Uppsala €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Prison Break Transfer with Retro Bus and Drinks: $1,498
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Pärnu City Tour: $680
- 100% Private Countryside Sauna, Hot Tub & Transfer: $565
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $494
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $448
- 2-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $311
- Abandoned Building Exploration Tour with Transfer: $288
- Private Transfer from Riga to Baltics: $265
- 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $254
- Super Grand Prix - Go-Kart Racing with Transfers: $249
- Snowmobile Adventure with Transfer: $196
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $175
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Uppsala
Also for Uppsala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uppsala City to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Uppsala?
Prices for flights to both Uppsala 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 €57Uppsala €54
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.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $128
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Uppsala €18
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town: $105
- 24h Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $35
- 5,5 Hour Small Group Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $88
- ATV Quad guided off road tour: $200
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $13
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $80
- Ancient Private Walking Tour in Riga Old Town Hunt: $99
- Art Nouveau Riga Walking Tour Architectural Gems and Highlights: $176
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Bobsleigh - Truly Unique Winter Adventure!: $170
- Civilization Secrets Private Walking Tour in Riga: $455
- Comprehensive 2.5 Hour Riga City Tour by Bus and Foot: $41
Tours and Activities in Uppsala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Uppsala.
- Uppsala Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.30
- The Best of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self Guided Secrets of Uppsala Exploration Game Tour: $24
- Stockholm: Uppsala Half-Day Swedish Oxford & Cathedral Tour: $29
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Adventure parc: $53
- Uppsala : Kayaking or Canoeing Experience: $76
- Vasatid at Uppsala Castle 1h - a guided tour in Uppsala: $96
- Medieval horror, undead and dark folklore walk Uppsala city - open tour: $100
- Uppsala Must See 2h city walk - 2h tour of all big attractions!: $107
- Guided tour 90min at Old Uppsala mounds and old Uppsala church: $108
- Swedish Lifestyle and Private Walking Tour of Uppsala: $138
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Uppsala €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: $29
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- 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
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $51
- Authentic Latvian Brewery Beer Tasting & Riga Highlight Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl for 50+ with Folk Clubs & Authentic Bars: $52
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Uppsala, we can see that Uppsala 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 Uppsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Uppsala 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 Uppsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Uppsala?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Uppsala. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Uppsala, 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 Uppsala?
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 Uppsala in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Uppsala. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Uppsala. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Uppsala fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Uppsala. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Uppsala 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Riga or Uppsala in the Autumn?
Both Uppsala and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Riga is around the same temperature as Uppsala in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Uppsala fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Uppsala. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Uppsala 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Riga or Uppsala in the Winter?
Both Uppsala and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Uppsala can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Uppsala. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Uppsala averages at about -3°C (27°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Uppsala. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Uppsala -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Riga or Uppsala in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Uppsala. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Uppsala. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Uppsala fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Uppsala. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Uppsala 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Uppsala and Riga
| Riga | Uppsala | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.