A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Riga or Accra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Riga or Accra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Riga or Accra?

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.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Ghana, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Accra is €42. 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 Riga and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 52
    Accra 18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 104
    Accra 36
Compare Hotels in Riga and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Accra? 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.

Hotels in Riga


Hotels in Accra


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: Riga Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 9.63
    Accra 15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $43
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $45
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
  • Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
  • Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $53
  • Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $53
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $57
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
  • Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
  • Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $77
  • Private Airport Transfer to from ACC Kotoka by Business Car: $80
  • Airport & City Transfers: $100
  • Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Riga 57
    Accra 15
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.

  • Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
  • Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
  • Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
  • Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
  • Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
  • Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $25
  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Ghana Jollof Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine : $80
  • Accra Makola Market Food Tour With Full Lunch: $82
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Culinary for Social Change-Cooking Class : $90
  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons and Take Out Services.: $100
  • Hands-On Cooking Class With Local Market Tour Option : $130
  • Accra Ghana Private Food and Cooking Class: $130
  • Fulani Dinner Experience: $150
  • Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $218

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 14
    Accra 3.14

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: $6.99
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
  • Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
  • Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
  • Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
  • Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
  • Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
  • Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
  • Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
  • Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
  • Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
  • Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • African Alcoholic Drinks Tasting Experience: $50
  • Accra Guided City Tour Experience: $60
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $65
  • Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
  • Accra Explored: A Full-Day Private City Tour for Culture Seekers : $80
  • Malabu Guided Tour: $80
  • Accra City Tour Experience: $80
  • Accra Luxury Beachfront Experience : $81
  • Western Used Cloth & African print Market in Accra Tour: $85
  • Private Makola Market & Art Centre Sightseeing & Shopping : $85
  • Half Day Fantasy Coffins and Art Tour in Accra.: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Accra 4.51

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: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
  • Riga Pub Crawl: $41
  • Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
  • Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
  • Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $59
  • Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $77
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Accra, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Accra is in Africa, 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 Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Accra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Riga or Accra?

Accra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Accra, 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.


When is the best time to visit Riga or Accra?

Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Accra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Accra in the Summer?

Both Accra and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Riga is cooler than Accra in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Accra fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Accra. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Accra receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Accra 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Riga or Accra in the Autumn?

Both Accra and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Accra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Accra averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in October than Accra. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Accra receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Accra 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Riga or Accra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Accra. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Accra. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Accra fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Accra. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Accra receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Accra 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Riga or Accra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Accra. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.

Riga is much colder than Accra in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Accra fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Accra. Riga usually gets less rain in April than Accra. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Accra receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Accra 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Accra and Riga

Riga Accra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)