A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Lake District National Park vs. Dundee for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lake District National Park or Dundee?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lake District National Park and Dundee. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is a relaxing, enjoyable, and unique national park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food and hiking.

Dundee

Dundee is a historic, coastal, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lake District National Park and Dundee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dundee than Lake District National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dundee is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake District National Park is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lake District National Park is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its mountains, lakes, stunning natural beauty, and amazing hikes. Dundee is well known for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. Also, Dundee is famous for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Lake District National Park different from Dundee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dundee and Lake District National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Lake District National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dundee. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Lake District National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Lake District National Park or Dundee? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Lake District National Park is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lake District National Park makes for a great culinary experience. There's a long history of culinary arts in the region and you'll enjoy locally sourced ingredients at many restaurants. There are also a number of Michelin starred restaurants to choose from.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Nightlife?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake District National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Lake District National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Hiking?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Lake District National Park is an amazing national park to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

People visit Lake District National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There's a huge selection of hikes to choose from in the area, ranging from easy strolls to more strenuous climbs. The park offers some of the best hiking in the country and you can spend days exploring. Some of the favorite hikes in the area include Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, and Catbells.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Lake District National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dundee has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Lake District National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Families?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Lake District National Park is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake District National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy getting out in nature as much as the adults do. They can stretch their legs and run around, or you can check out some of the family-friendly activities in the area. Popular options include the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, the World of Beatrix Potter, Wray Castle, and the adventure park Brockhole on Windermere. There's also Lakes Aquarium, Lake District Wildlife Park, and Lake District Coast Aquarium for animal lovers.

Dundee is a family-friendly national park. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Couples?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Lake District National Park is a well-known place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Lake District National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most impressive national parks in the country, couples will enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring this stunning setting. Whether you're watching the sunset from a mountaintop or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the water, this park is a perfect place to relax.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.


Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Lake District National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Lake District National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of camping options throughout the park with a range of hookup facilities to meet everyone's needs. Waterfront campsites are also available.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Students?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake District National Park is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Dundee. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Lake District National Park is not popular with students.

Is Lake District National Park or Dundee Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lake District National Park is lacking in options for its public transit.

Dundee has some public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Public transit is generally limited in Lake District National Park. There are shuttlebuses in parts of the park.


Is Lake District National Park or Dundee a more walkable city?

Lake District National Park
Dundee

Dundee is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Lake District National Park is not a walkable destination.

Dundee is a somewhat walkable city. There are a number of walks through the town.

Lake District National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Lake District National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Dundee Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dundee or Lake District National Park?

How long in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lake District National Park or Dundee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lake District National Park than Dundee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lake District National Park, and 1-2 days is enough time in Dundee.

Families should spend more time in Lake District National Park than Dundee. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake District National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lake District National Park than Dundee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lake District National Park that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.


  • How many days in Lake District National Park or Dundee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lake District National Park 3-7 
    Dundee 1-2

One day in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Lake District National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Dundee. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Lake District National Park is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Dundee for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.


Five days in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake District National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The coastal destination of Dundee offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular destination of Lake District National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Dundee, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Dundee or Lake District National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lake District National Park is £81, while the average daily cost in Dundee is £234. 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 Lake District National Park and Dundee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lake District National Park £39
    Dundee £149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lake District National Park £78
    Dundee £298
Compare Hotels in Lake District National Park and Dundee

Looking for a hotel in Lake District National Park or Dundee? 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 Lake District National Park


Hotels in Dundee


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: Dundee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lake District National Park £33
    Dundee £16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake District National Park

Also for Lake District National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lake District Ski Club to Newcastle Airport - Departure Transfer: $33
  • Lake District Ski Club to Manchester Airport - Departure Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Prices for flights to both Dundee and Lake District National Park 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
    Lake District National Park £21
    Dundee £47

Typical Food Prices in Dundee

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


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lake District National Park £20
    Dundee £106

Tours and Activities in Lake District National Park

For Lake District National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day: $89
  • Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure in the Lake District: $89
  • 3-Hours Via Ferrata Experience in Keswick: $140

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

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

  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $83
  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lake District National Park £4.64
    Dundee £13


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake District National Park Expensive? and Is Dundee Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Lake District National Park or Dundee?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Dundee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lake District National Park as well as Dundee. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake District National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dundee for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lake District National Park is around the same temperature as Dundee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lake District National Park in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Dundee averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Lake District National Park often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 184 hours of full sun.

Lake District National Park usually gets more rain in July than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lake District National Park 15°C (59°F) 
    Dundee 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Dundee in the Autumn?

Both Dundee and Lake District National Park are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lake District National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Dundee in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Lake District National Park is generally around the same temperature as Dundee. Daily temperatures in Lake District National Park average around 10°C (49°F), and Dundee fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Lake District National Park usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during autumn. Lake District National Park gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Lake District National Park. In October, Lake District National Park usually receives more rain than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lake District National Park 10°C (49°F) 
    Dundee 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Dundee in the Winter?

Both Dundee and Lake District National Park during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lake District National Park in the winter for the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dundee can be very cold during winter. Lake District National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Lake District National Park is around the same temperature as Dundee in the winter. The daily temperature in Lake District National Park averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dundee fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Lake District National Park often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 58 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lake District National Park. Lake District National Park usually gets more rain in January than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lake District National Park 3°C (38°F) 
    Dundee 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Dundee in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake District National Park and Dundee. Most visitors come to Lake District National Park for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dundee because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Lake District National Park is around the same temperature as Dundee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lake District National Park in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Dundee averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Lake District National Park usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during spring. Lake District National Park gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lake District National Park usually receives more rain than Dundee. Lake District National Park gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lake District National Park 7°C (45°F) 
    Dundee 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Dundee and Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park Dundee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 136 mm (5.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 15°C (58°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)