Should you visit Riga or Zurich?
Should I visit Riga or Zurich? 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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Which city is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich is €179. 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 Zurich 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 €226 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
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.
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around €41 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Riga €26
Zurich €41
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.
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Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga:
$12
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
-
Riga Medieval Dinner:
$102
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
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Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
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 Zurich is €24 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:
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City to Riga RIX Airport:
$15
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Private Airport Transfer: from Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$18
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Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City Center:
$19
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Private Departure Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport (RIX):
$19
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Private Transfer: Riga to Riga International Airport (RIX):
$21
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English Speaking Private Arrival Transfer from Riga Airport:
$25
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Airport transfer & private driver services:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Sedan Car:
$26
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Private Minibus Departure Transfer to Riga Airport:
$27
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Private Taxi transfer from Jurmala to Riga:
$27
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Private Minivan Transfer: Riga City Center to Riga Airport:
$37
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Transfer service Riga airport:
$37
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
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Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre:
$9.41
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Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station:
$9.41
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Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
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Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station:
$9.41
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Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
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Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos:
$9.41
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel:
$31
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Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport:
$31
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Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City:
$39
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Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport:
$39
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Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport:
$39
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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.
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €24 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:
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An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom:
$5.00
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Riga's Architecture: An art nouveau history audio tour:
$5.00
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Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads:
$8.28
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Riga Art Nouveau walking tour:
$8.71
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Classic Car Museum Tour:
$9.95
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Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
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Gastronomic tour with professional chef:
$19
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$22
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Daily Riga Bike Tour:
$22
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The Best Of Riga Walking Tour:
$23
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Regular Walking tours:
$25
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Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems:
$31
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
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Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game:
$7.45
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Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains:
$9.99
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Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
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Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
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Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
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Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
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Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
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Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
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Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
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Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
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Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour:
$49
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The Best of Zurich Including Panoramic Views in a Small Group Walking Tour:
$58
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 €20 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich 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:
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Pub Crawl in Riga:
$37
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Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!:
$47
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Riga Public Pub Crawl:
$60
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Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl:
$64
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Brewery Tour:
$83
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Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl:
$83
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Riga Wine Tasting Session:
$115
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Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting:
$149
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Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis:
$224
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga:
$380
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Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting in Riga:
$765
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Riga.
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