Should you visit Riga or Vilnius?
Should I visit Riga or Vilnius? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
Which city is cheaper, Vilnius or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €82, while the average daily cost in Vilnius is €76. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Vilnius in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Riga the cost is €84 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €68 for a double occupancy room in Vilnius.
Food
Riga food costs typically run travelers around €26 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Vilnius cost around €32 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €13.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Vilnius €32
Typical Food prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
-
Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Typical Food prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
-
Vilnius - City of Contrasts - The Original City Tour by bicycle (bike+food tour):
$32
-
National Dinner with Folk Show in Vilnius:
$49
-
Dinner in local family:
$66
-
Cooking Class in Vilnius:
$71
-
Cooking Class:
$74
-
Vilnius Dinner in the Darkness:
$115
-
Dinner in the Dark Dining Experience in Riga:
$281
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Riga is €12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Vilnius is €6.64 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
-
Private Departure Transfer from Riga City to Riga RIX Airport:
$15
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
-
Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
-
Private Transfer: Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$21
-
English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
-
Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
-
Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
-
Private Minibus Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$27
-
Private Taxi transfer from Jurmala to Riga:
$27
-
Private Minivan Transfer: Riga City Center to Riga Airport:
$37
-
Transfer service Riga airport:
$37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
-
Vilnius Airport Departure Private Transfer:
$14
-
Private Airport Transfer: Vilnius International Airport (VNO) to Vilnius:
$16
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Vilnius to Vilnius International Airport (VNO):
$16
-
Private Vilnius Airport Departure Transfer:
$16
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius City:
$17
-
Private Departure Transfer from Vilnius City to Vilnius VNO Airport:
$17
-
Vilnius Airport Arrival Private Transfer:
$17
-
Private Vilnius VNO Airport - Vilnius City Round-Trip Transfer:
$33
-
Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer:
$37
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Vilnius VNO in Minivan:
$46
-
Departure Private Transfer Vilnius City to Vilnius VNO by Minivan:
$46
-
Luxury Car Transfers from VNO Vilnius Airport to Vilnius - Arrival:
$92
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Vilnius?
Prices for flights to both Vilnius 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.
Entertainment
Riga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Vilnius's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €7.78 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
-
An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
-
Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
-
Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads:
$8.28
-
Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
-
Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
-
Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
-
Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
-
The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
-
Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
-
The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
-
Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
-
Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
-
The old town of An audio tour from Cathedral Square to the Gate of Dawn:
$5.99
-
Museum of illusions Entrance Ticket:
$14
-
Vilnius Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Vilnius Guided Ghost Walking Tour:
$15
-
Vilnius Sightseeing - City Tour:
$15
-
Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius:
$15
-
Regular 2 hr walking tour of Jewish Vilnius:
$15
-
Vilnius City Tour audio guide one round 11 languges:
$16
-
Vilnius Old Town 2-hour Ghost Tour:
$23
-
From Trakai 4-Hour Tour with Audio Guide:
$24
-
Highlights of Vilnius - Short City Bike Tour:
$25
-
Bicycle tour Contrasts of Vilnius:
$25
Alcohol
The average person spends about €16 on alcoholic beverages in Riga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €5.10 on alcoholic beverages in Vilnius per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 in Riga:
$37
-
Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
-
Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
-
Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
-
Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
-
Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
-
Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
-
Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
-
Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
-
Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
-
Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
-
Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting in Riga:
$765
Typical Alcohol prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Vilnius, we can see that Riga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Related Articles for Riga
Related Articles for Vilnius
