How Much Does Riga Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Riga offers some of the best travel value in Northern Europe, serving as a more affordable alternative to Scandinavian capitals while maintaining a high standard of Baltic sophistication. Daily expenses range from $65 / €55 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $647 / €550 for those indulging in the city's premier luxury offerings. The cost landscape is defined by the contrast between the historic Old Town (Vecrīga), where prices are geared toward tourists, and the trendy Art Nouveau district (Centrs), where local prices prevail. Visitors can expect mid-range daily costs of approximately $206 / €175, covering comfortable hotels and high-quality dining. While prices have risen in recent years, the city remains significantly cheaper than Western European hubs like Paris or Amsterdam.
Is Riga expensive to visit?
Riga is a highly accessible and affordable European capital, with daily costs typically ranging from $65 / €55 to $647 / €550 depending on your choice of accommodation and dining style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Riga
$65
per person /day
$206
per person /day
$647
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $194 | $618 | $1,942 |
| 5-Day Trip | $324 | $1,030 | $3,237 |
| 7-Day Trip | $453 | $1,442 | $4,531 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to set aside a 15% budget buffer to account for the municipal tourist tax (up to $12 / €10 for longer stays) and the ~$18 / €15 entry fee for hotel spa zones if not included in the room rate. In winter, when temperatures can reach -10–-5°C (14–23°F), this buffer can also cover frequent stops for warm drinks in cafes.
How Does It Compare?
See how Riga stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Riga
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range 3-Course Dinner for Two Popular spots like Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs offer high quality for this range. | $71 €60 |
| Pint of Local Draught Beer (0.5L) Craft beers in trendy Centrs bars can cost ~$7.06–$8.24 / €6–€7. | $5.89 €5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Bus 22 (Single Ticket from Driver) Buying at the airport kiosk (Narvesen) is cheaper (~$1.77 / €1.5). | $2.13 €1.81 |
| Bolt Ride (Airport to Old Town) Use the Bolt app to avoid higher fixed rates from airport queue taxis which can reach ~$41 / €35. | $21 €18 |
| 24-Hour Public Transport Ticket Covers all buses, trams, and trolleybuses within the city limits. | $5.89 €5 |
| Train to Jurmala (Majori Station) Buying via the Vivi app or website often offers a 5-10% discount (~$0.24 / €0.2). | $2.47 €2.1 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at Blue Bird Hostel (Old Town) Premium boutique hostel in the heart of Old Town. Prices can drop to ~$21 / €18 in winter. | $26 €23 |
| Mid-range Hotel: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel Includes breakfast and access to the riverside spa for an additional ~$18 / €15 fee if not included in rate. | $124 €105 |
| Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga (Luxury) The premier luxury option in Riga. | $375 €318 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Riga Art Nouveau Museum Entry Includes access to the famous decorated apartment on Alberta iela. Price is ~$5.89 / €5 in winter. | $11 €9 |
| House of the Blackheads Entrance Includes the medieval cellars and the grand festive halls. | $8.24 €7 |
| St. Peter's Church Tower View This includes the elevator ride to the 72-meter viewing platform. | $11 €9 |
| Latvian National Museum of Art Ticket The rooftop terrace offers great city views for free after museum entry. | $7.06 €6 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| LMT Karte Prepaid Starter Kit Includes initial credit and is available at Narvesen kiosks throughout the city. | $3.53 €3 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining scene in Riga is a mix of traditional Latvian hearty fare and modern European cuisine, with a mid-range three-course dinner for two costing around $71 / €60. Budget travelers can eat well at self-service spots like Lido Vērmanītis or grab a pint of local draught beer for $5.89 / €5. For the lowest prices, the Central Market hangars offer affordable local staples and fresh produce away from the tourist-heavy Old Town squares.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Lido Vērmanītis
$8.24–$14 / €7–€12Centrs · Local chain
Grab the local 'Kvass' drink and traditional potato pancakes (~$5.3 / €4.5).
Pelmeņi XL
$5.3–$9.42 / €4.5–€8Old Town · Street food area
You pay by weight, so go easy on the sour cream if you're on a budget.
Big Bad Bagels
$7.65–$12 / €6.5–€10Quiet Centre · Bakery
Best for a quick, filling breakfast near the Art Nouveau district.
Central Market Zeppelin Hangars
$3.53–$8.24 / €3–€7Near Station · Street market
Head to the Gastronomy Pavilion for ready-to-eat local deli items.
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs (Lunch Special)
$7.06–$11 / €6–€9Old Town · Local chain
Lunch is much cheaper than dinner here; check their Facebook for the daily menu.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city center is compact and largely walkable, but an efficient network of trams and buses connects all major districts for a flat 24-hour rate of $5.89 / €5. A single ticket purchased from a driver (only available on Bus 22) costs $2.13 / €1.81, though buying in advance at a Narvesen kiosk reduces this to $1.77 / €1.5. The Bolt ride-hailing app is the most cost-effective way to reach the center from the airport, typically costing $21 / €18 compared to higher fixed-rate taxis.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation ranges from premium boutique dorms like Blue Bird Hostel for $26 / €23 to upscale riverside stays like the Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel for $124 / €105. Luxury seekers will find world-class amenities at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga for approximately $375 / €318 per night. Value is highest in the Quiet Centre (Klusais centrs), where spacious rooms are often priced lower than the smaller, noisier hotels in the heart of Old Town.
Accommodation Budget in Riga
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase public transport tickets at Narvesen kiosks for $1.77 / €1.5 to avoid the $2.13 / €1.81 'driver surcharge' on the airport bus.
- 2 Use the Bolt app for all taxi travel to avoid the ~$41 / €35 fixed rates often quoted by airport queue taxis.
- 3 Visit the Riga Art Nouveau Museum during the winter months when the entry fee drops from $11 / €9 to $5.89 / €5.
- 4 Buy train tickets to Jurmala (Majori Station) via the Vivi app to receive a 5–10% discount on the standard $2.47 / €2.1 fare.
- 5 Look for the 'Pusdienu piedāvājums' (lunch special) at Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs for a high-quality, low-cost traditional meal.
- 6 Get a $3.53 / €3 LMT Karte prepaid starter kit at any kiosk for cheap local data instead of using international roaming.
- 7 Enter the Latvian National Museum of Art for $7.06 / €6 and head to the rooftop terrace for city views included in the ticket price.
- 8 Avoid buying bottled water in the Old Town; instead, fill up at the free public water taps located at the Town Hall Square.
- 9 Shop for souvenirs like amber or Riga Black Balsam at the Central Market hangars rather than boutique gift shops for better pricing.
- 10 Book mid-range hotels like Wellton Riverside SPA that include breakfast to save roughly $18 / €15 per person on morning meals.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov
-25-40%
May, Sep
Winter is significantly cheaper, with 4-star hotels often dropping below ~$71 / €60. Summer brings long daylight hours (White Nights) but crowded Old Town streets.
Events to Watch
- ● Staro Rīga Light Festival (Nov): +20% hotels
- ● Latvian Song and Dance Festival (every 5 years): +100% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Art Nouveau architecture on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela.
- 2 Exploring the five massive repurposed Zeppelin hangars of the Riga Central Market.
- 3 Watching the changing of the guard at the Freedom Monument.
- 4 Strolling through Bastejkalna Park (Bastion Hill) to see the city canal and romantic bridges.
- 5 Visiting the Great Choral Synagogue Memorial ruins on Gogoļa iela.
- 6 Crossing the Stone Bridge (Akmens tilts) on foot for the iconic panoramic view of the Old Town skyline.
- 7 Browsing the local craft and food stalls at the Kalnciema Quarter weekend market.
- 8 Viewing the 'Three Brothers'—the oldest complex of residential buildings in the city—from the street.
- 9 Exploring the Swedish Gate, the last remaining entrance of the medieval city walls.
- 10 Walking through the historic grounds of the Brothers' Cemetery (Brāļu Kapi).
- 11 Visiting the exterior of the Latvian Academy of Sciences to see its 'Stalinist Gothic' architecture.
- 12 Relaxing in the Vermanes Garden, the city's oldest public garden.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Latvian National Opera Performance
World-class opera and ballet in one of Europe's most beautiful 19th-century buildings. Top-tier seats are a steal at ~$77 / €65.
Tasting Menu at Barents
High-end Nordic-style fine dining focusing on Arctic seafood. One of the best culinary experiences in the Baltics.
ESPA Riga Active Leisure Area
An ultra-luxurious spa day featuring a rooftop heated pool and high-end thermal suites.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Riga
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Riga and what they cost
Jurmala (Beach Resort)
$4.94 / €4.2 by train
Free
$41 / €35
Sigulda (Latvian Switzerland)
$5.89 / €5 by train
$7.06 / €6
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent - even small kiosks and street vendors in the Central Market increasingly accept contactless payments.
Standard practice is to round up for small bills or leave ~10% for good table service. Not mandatory but expected in Centrs restaurants.
Stick to bank-affiliated ATMs like Swedbank or SEB. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high withdrawal fees (~$4.71 / €4) and poor conversion rates.
Connectivity
eSIM: $5.28 for 7 days (Unlimited Data) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $3.53 / €3 for LMT Karte or ~$2.34 / €1.99 for ZZ Start kit at Narvesen.
WiFi: Excellent in Centrs and Old Town; most cafés offer speeds over 50Mbps for free.
Zelta Zivtiņa (ZZ) offers the best value for short-term visitors with their ~$5.28 / €4.49 unlimited weekly plan.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Riga.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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