💶 Trip budget for Latvia: how much housing, food and transport cost in 2026

Latvia is part of the eurozone, and average salaries here are lower than in Germany. A vacation in this country often turns out cheaper than people expect. We have gathered current prices for accommodation, food, transport, and tickets so you can plan your budget in advance.

Below, we break down how much a week of vacation in Riga, Jurmala, and the regions costs.

Latvian landscape with forests and fields

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What you need to know about expenses in Latvia

💡 In short:

Latvia has been in the eurozone since 2014, so you do not need to exchange currency on your trip, and exchange offices and rate conversions are a thing of the past.
You spend the most on accommodation and flights, while transport within the country is noticeably cheaper than in Germany.

Currency: the euro makes the trip easier

Latvia has used the euro since 2014, which has made travel easier for visitors from Germany. Before that, people paid in Latvian lats, which today are only of interest to collectors.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. In Riga and Jurmala, restaurants, hotels, and shops work with debit and credit cards. In rural areas, keep some cash on hand. ATMs, called bankomāts here, are available in all major cities.

When paying by card, choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency. That way you avoid losing money on the unfavorable exchange rate imposed by the terminal.

How to get there and how much it costs

Most people fly into Latvia via Riga Airport, the largest in the Baltics. Prices depend on the season and how far in advance you book.

In winter (November to March), round-trip tickets from Germany are usually noticeably cheaper than in summer.
In summer (June to August), the same flights cost noticeably more, especially for weekend dates.
When booking at the last minute, the price rises even higher, so buy tickets in advance.

The cheapest months to fly are November and February, excluding Christmas dates. In summer, everything gets more expensive at once: flights, accommodation, and tours. Tickets on weekdays are cheaper than on Friday and Sunday, and for a family of four that difference is already significant. You can conveniently compare dates and flight prices through Kiwi.com.

Overland options are cheaper than flying. The bus from Berlin takes about twenty hours, and a one-way ticket is usually cheaper than a flight, with the price depending on the date. If you drive from Germany, add fuel and toll sections in Poland. Ferries to Riga run from Stockholm; there is no direct sea connection from Germany.

How much accommodation costs in Latvia

Accommodation takes up the largest part of the budget. Prices depend on the city, season, and hotel class. Below are approximate amounts per night; in high season and on weekends they are higher.

Riga

Hostel or simple guesthouse: from about 15-25 € per person.
Mid-range hotel: about 50-80 € for a double room.
High-end hotel: from about 150-180 €, luxury options cost more.
Apartments for a family or long stay: from about 60 € per night.

In the Old Town (Vecrīga) you pay noticeably more than in neighboring districts. On the plus side, the main sights are close by, and you save on transport.

Jurmala

The resort of Jurmala is more expensive than the capital. In high season, hotels here cost noticeably more than in spring and autumn. On weekends prices also rise, so book in advance.

Resort town of Jūrmala on the Baltic Sea

Regions

In small towns and rural areas, accommodation is cheaper. A guesthouse for two often costs less than one dinner in central Riga. In Liepaja and Daugavpils, prices are lower than in Riga, and the cities themselves are smaller and quieter. If you are staying longer than a week, ask about a discount for long-term stays: many properties are happy to offer one.

You can conveniently find options through hotel prices in Latvia on Trip.com.

How much food and drinks cost

Restaurants in Latvia are cheaper than in Germany, especially at lunchtime. Approximate prices in Riga as of 09/2026 according to Numbeo:

Lunch at an inexpensive restaurant: about 14.50 € per person, cheaper at simple cafes.
Three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: about 60 € without drinks.
Fast food meal: about 8 €.
Cappuccino about 3.30 €, local draft beer (0.5 l) about 5 €.

In tourist areas, such as Riga's Old Town, food costs noticeably more. A couple of blocks from Town Hall Square, the same dishes are cheaper, so eat there.

Groceries at the supermarket

If you cook for yourself, groceries at Rimi, Maxima, and Mego chains are noticeably cheaper than in Germany. A loaf of bread costs about €1.30, a liter of milk about €1, a dozen eggs about €3.30, and half a kilo of chicken fillet about €4 (based on user data from Numbeo, 09/2026). For fresh produce, head to the Riga Central Market: prices there are lower than in supermarkets, and the selection is wider.

Tips in Latvia are left at five to ten percent if you liked the service. At self-service cafes and fast food places, tips are not expected.

Transport: how to get around on a budget

In cities, public transport runs on a single e-talons card. Here are the fares in Riga as of 09/2026 (data: Rīgas satiksme):

Single 90-minute ticket: €1.50.
24-hour ticket: €5, three-day ticket: €8, five-day ticket: €10.
Monthly pass: €30.

The train to Jurmala (Majori station) costs about €2.30 one way, and the trip takes about half an hour (data: 09/2026, Jurmala tourist office, schedule from carrier Vivi). This is noticeably cheaper than a taxi on the same route.

Taxis and ride-hailing services in the city are moderately priced: the base fare is about €3, and a kilometer costs about €0.90 (based on user data from Numbeo, 09/2026), so a short trip within Riga is usually inexpensive. The Bolt app is more popular here than regular taxis because the price is fixed in advance. A taxi ride from Riga to Jurmala will cost a couple dozen euros, depending on the service and time of day.

Renting a car is useful for trips to the regions and national parks. A compact car costs from a few dozen euros per day depending on the season, and gasoline is about €1.70 per liter, slightly cheaper than in Germany (based on user data from Numbeo, 09/2026). You can book a car through DiscoverCars. Roads on main routes are in good condition, while secondary roads in rural areas can be unpaved.

Tickets and entertainment: what you pay for

Many experiences in Latvia are free; you mainly pay for museums and organized tours.

In Riga, a ticket to the Latvian National Museum of Art costs €10 (as of 09/2026, LNMM), while entry to the cathedral and small city museums is usually cheaper. The climb to the observation deck of St. Peter's Church is paid and offers the best view of the Old Town. Here you should see Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms), the House of the Blackheads, and the Latvian National Museum, where tickets are also inexpensive.

In Jūrmala, the beach and a walk along the seaside streets cost nothing. You will have to pay for spa centers and the water park, where the adult ticket price depends on the time of visit; check the current rates on the Līvu Akvaparks website.

Group tours of Riga for a couple of hours are inexpensive, while a day trip to Gauja National Park is noticeably more expensive, with the price depending on the format. You can easily compare options and book a spot through the widget below.

Tours and tickets in Riga

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Riga: the main city in your expense checklist

Riga combines a medieval Old Town and modern districts, and prices within the city vary greatly.

Old Town (Vecrīga): the most expensive area, restaurants and souvenirs here are noticeably pricier.
Quieter neighborhoods (Miera iela, Latgale suburb): cheaper and more authentic.

If you are traveling as a couple, accommodation is split between two people, and per-person costs go down.

Jurmala: how much a resort vacation costs

Jurmala lies about 25 kilometers west of Riga and is known for its 26-kilometer sandy beach. It is the country's most famous resort.

Sandy beach at Ķemeri in Jūrmala in summer

High season (June-August): accommodation is noticeably more expensive than in the off-season.
Weekends: usually more expensive than weekdays.

The high price here is justified by the beach, wooden Art Nouveau architecture, and spa centers. If your budget is limited, visit Jurmala as a day trip from Riga: that way you save on overnight stays.

How much people earn in Latvia

To understand local prices, it helps to know salaries. The average gross salary in the second quarter of 2026 was 1,886 € per month (as of 09/2026, LSM based on Latvian statistics).

Minimum wage: 780 € gross per month (from January 1, 2026, Latvian Ministry of Welfare).
Riga and its surroundings pay noticeably more than the eastern regions, with the difference reaching several hundred euros.
IT, finance, and logistics pay above average, while education and agriculture pay below.

Simply put, a dinner that is inexpensive for you may be expensive for a local resident. That is why service in Latvia costs tourists a moderate amount.

Latvia compared with Lithuania and Estonia

The Baltics have three countries, and prices there are close but not identical.

Estonia, excluding rent, is about 15% more expensive than Latvia, especially in Tallinn (as of 09/2026, Numbeo comparison).
Lithuania is roughly on par with Latvia, with regional differences.
Alcohol in Estonia is noticeably more expensive due to high excise taxes.

For housing and restaurants, the difference between Riga and Vilnius is small. Taxis in Tallinn are more expensive than in Riga, but public transport costs about the same in all three countries.

Sample weekly budgets

Below is the editorial team's estimate per person, excluding travel to Latvia (approximate, as of 09/2026).

Budget option: ~30-50 € per day, about 210-350 € per week.
Mid-range: ~80-120 € per day, about 560-840 € per week.
Comfort: from ~200 € per day, from ~1,400 € per week.
Family with two children: ~150-250 € per day, about 1,050-1,750 € per week.

A hostel, lunch at an inexpensive cafe, and a transit pass fit into the minimum budget. A hotel, restaurants, and excursions quickly push the total up.

How to save on your trip

Even in high season, you can make the trip cheaper.

Off-season (April-May and September-October): the weather is still pleasant, and prices are noticeably lower.
Winter: the lowest hotel prices in Riga, with significant discounts.
Taking the train instead of a taxi to Jurmala saves almost the entire transport cost.
Set lunches at cafes on weekdays are cheaper than menu items and can replace dinner at a restaurant.
Riga Pass for 24, 48, or 72 hours includes transport and museums; check the price and terms on the official website.

Apartments with a kitchen are often a better deal than a hotel, and groceries from the Central Market are cheaper than store-bought ones.

Bottom line: is Latvia expensive for tourists

Latvia ranks in the middle among European destinations. It is cheaper than Scandinavia and Western Europe, but not as cheap as some Balkan countries.

The price-to-quality ratio here is good. For moderate money, you get culture, sandy beaches, and well-kept tourist infrastructure. Latvia suits those looking for an alternative to overcrowded and increasingly expensive Western cities. Overall, the trip budget is predictable: allocate more for accommodation and flights and less for daily expenses.

Useful information about Latvia

Tap water in cities is safe to drink.
Country calling code: +371.
Type C and F sockets, as in Germany, so you will not need an adapter.
Traffic drives on the right.
Population of about two million, capital Riga.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need for a week in Latvia?

According to our rough estimate, a budget traveler spends about 30-50 € per day and roughly 210-350 € per week excluding travel. A mid-range traveler with a hotel and restaurants should budget ~80-120 € per day. The total depends on accommodation, which rises fastest in high season.

Is Latvia more expensive than Lithuania and Estonia?

Latvia sits in the middle of the Baltics. Estonia, and especially Tallinn, is about 15% more expensive excluding rent (as of 09/2026, Numbeo), while Lithuania is close to Latvia in prices. The difference is most noticeable on alcohol due to excise taxes. For housing and food, the gap between Riga and Vilnius is small.

When is the cheapest time to visit Latvia?

The cheapest time is winter, from November to March, excluding the Christmas dates. During this period, hotels in Riga offer the most significant discounts. In the off-season, April-May and September-October, prices are also noticeably lower than in summer. In summer, both accommodation and flights get more expensive, so book in advance. Weekend prices are also higher than weekday prices.

Can you pay by card in Latvia?

Yes, cards are accepted almost everywhere: in hotels, restaurants, and shops in Riga and Jurmala. In rural areas, keep some cash on hand.

How much does the train from Riga to Jurmala cost?

A one-way ticket to Majori station costs about 2.30 €, and the journey takes about half an hour (as of 09/2026, Jurmala tourist office). Trains run frequently, so Jurmala is easy to visit as a day trip from Riga.

In short: what to book

If you are visiting Latvia for the first time, book a hotel in Riga: from there it is easy to reach both Jurmala and the regions. If you want a beach nearby, choose accommodation in Jurmala, but remember that prices there rise fastest in summer. If you are planning a route around the country, rent a car in advance. You can conveniently find a hotel in Riga through Trip.com. Plan your budget with a buffer: accommodation in high season rises faster than other expenses.

How much does a vacation in Latvia cost: prices for housing, food and transport