Which place is cheaper, Vientiane 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 Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane?
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.
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Vientiane €20
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is €20. 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 Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Vientiane €7.27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Vientiane €15
Compare Hotels in Riga and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Vientiane €1.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Canal and River Cruise with Old Town Transfer: $20
- Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $33
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga by Sedan: $37
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $44
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $52
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $56
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Riga Airport with English speaking driver: $56
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $56
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride€3.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane 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 €57Vientiane €10
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
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Vientiane €3.27
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Riga Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.57
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: Riga's Century of Shadows and Light: $5.47
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Hidden Monopolies of Riga: $6.84
- Old Riga Walking History Tour: $9.13
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
- Old Riga Walking Tour: Discover Stories and Legends: $10
- Riga Historic Boat Tour with Audio Guide and Captain Stories: $10
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Riga Sightseeing by Canal Boat with Audio Guide: $11
- Old Riga E-Cart Guided Tour with Local Driver & Audio Guide: $11
- Hidden Gems and Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $11
- Old Riga walking tour with a local: $11
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
- Vientiane Lao Art Museum Admission Ticket: $10
- Lao Art Museum Vientiane Admission & Cultural Experience: $10
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour (Daily Guaranteed): $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Vientiane €1.82
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Vientiane, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Vientiane is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Vientiane?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Vientiane, 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 Vientiane?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vientiane experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Riga or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Riga or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Riga is much colder than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in October than Vientiane. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Riga or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Vientiane. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Riga or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Vientiane. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Riga is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Vientiane. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Riga
| Riga | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.