Which place is cheaper, Riga or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tel Aviv or Riga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Riga, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Tel Aviv or Riga?
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, and The Best Budget Tours to Israel.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $138Riga $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $138, while the average daily cost in Riga is $112. 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 Tel Aviv and Riga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $85Riga $57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $170Riga $114
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Riga
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Riga? 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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $8.66Riga $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
-
Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.56
-
Taxi to Airport$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Private Airport Transfer - Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport from or to Tel Aviv City: $34
- Private Transfer Between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $40
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer to Jerusalem to your Hotel/Accommodation: $47
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $52
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Jerusalem Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel/Accommodation: $68
- Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to Multi Destination: $75
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
- Private Intercity Transfer - from your Tel Aviv Hotel to your Jerusalem Hotel: $80
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $149
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $341
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $457
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $425
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $229
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $181
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
- Private Transfer From Riga City Center To Riga Airport: $43
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $53
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $31
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Riga?
Prices for flights to both Riga and Tel Aviv 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
-
Food Meals for one dayTel Aviv $27Riga $36
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
-
Dinner for Two$22
-
Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$129
-
Lunch at Segev Sarona$34
-
Aroma Iced Coffee$3.71
-
Lunch at the airport$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $45
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
-
Fast Food Lunch$6.25
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
- Medieval Dinner on the 12th Century at Rozengrals: $118
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $130
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $151
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $23Riga $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv
Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Masada tour from Tel Aviv$78
-
Etzel museum$3.98
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- The Trail of Independence: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Tel Aviv: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $28
- Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $35
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour: $39
- Jaffa and Neve Tzedek walking tour: $39
- Jaffa and Neve Tzedek Neighborhoods Walking Tour: $39
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour: $39
- Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange: $40
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.93
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.46
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.42
- Riga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.59
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $22Riga $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $21
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $21
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $30
- Tel Aviv Craft Beers Pub Crawl: $42
- Bar Crawl tour with local in Tel-Aviv: $150
- Wine Tour North of Israel from Tel Aviv: $959
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: $15
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $17
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $53
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $54
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $102
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $521
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,308
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Riga, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Riga is in Europe, 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 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Riga?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Riga, 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.
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.