A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Orkney Islands vs. Lake District National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a tranquil, natural, and pristine archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is a enjoyable, unique, and beautiful national park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food and hiking.

Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty


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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Orkney Islands. Although Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park are popular destinations, Orkney Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Orkney Islands is very popular for its museums and beaches, while Lake District National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Lake District National Park is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its mountains, lakes, stunning natural beauty, and amazing hikes. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. It is also well known for The Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

How is Orkney Islands different from Lake District National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Lake District National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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.

Is Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Orkney Islands is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Lake District National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Orkney Islands for it's beautiful beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Lake District National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is renowned for hiking. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Lake District National Park specifically for its hiking. 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.

Orkney Islands is a popular spot for hiking. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.


Is Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park Better for Families?

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lake District National Park. 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.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Both Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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.

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

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Lake District National Park, as it is a very popular national park for 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.


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

Orkney Islands
Lake District National Park

Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands has some public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

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

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

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

How long in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

Both Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake District National Park than Orkney Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lake District National Park.


  • How many days in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Orkney Islands 3-7 
    Lake District National Park 3-7

One day in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Lake District National Park, you'll find food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

Many people visit Orkney Islands for a weekend. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Lake District National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.


Five days in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural destination of Orkney Islands. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Many people spend five days here. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake District National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park?

Orkney Islands, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for one week. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is often enough time to do most activities. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Lake District National Park, you'll find food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Lake District National Park or Orkney Islands?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Orkney Islands is £128, while the average daily cost in Lake District National Park is £81. 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 Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Orkney Islands £60
    Lake District National Park £39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Orkney Islands £120
    Lake District National Park £78
Compare Hotels in Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park

Looking for a hotel in Orkney Islands or Lake District National Park? 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 Orkney Islands


Hotels in Lake District National Park


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Orkney Islands £56
    Lake District National Park £33

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 Manchester Airport - Departure Transfer: $43
  • Lake District Ski Club to Newcastle Airport - Departure Transfer: $33

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

Prices for flights to both Lake District National Park and Orkney Islands 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
    Orkney Islands £34
    Lake District National Park £21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Orkney Islands £27
    Lake District National Park £20

Tours and Activities in Orkney Islands

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orkney Islands.

  • From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour: $275
  • Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall : $246

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:

  • 3-Hours Via Ferrata Experience in Keswick: $139
  • Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure in the Lake District: $89
  • Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Orkney Islands £6.43
    Lake District National Park £4.64


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Lake District National Park Expensive?.



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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Lake District National Park. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lake District National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Lake District National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Lake District National Park fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Lake District National Park during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Lake District National Park receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake District National Park receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Orkney Islands 12°C (54°F) 
    Lake District National Park 15°C (59°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Lake District National Park. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake District National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is around the same temperature as Lake District National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Lake District National Park averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake District National Park receives 69 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in October than Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Lake District National Park receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Orkney Islands 9°C (48°F) 
    Lake District National Park 10°C (49°F)

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

Both Lake District National Park and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Lake District National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake District National Park in the winter. The weather in Orkney Islands can be very cold. In January, Orkney Islands is generally a little warmer than Lake District National Park. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Lake District National Park fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Lake District National Park during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Lake District National Park receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lake District National Park. It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Lake District National Park receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Orkney Islands 4°C (39°F) 
    Lake District National Park 3°C (38°F)

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

Both Lake District National Park and Orkney Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lake District National Park for the natural beauty.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Lake District National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Lake District National Park fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake District National Park receives 134 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in April than Lake District National Park. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake District National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Orkney Islands 6°C (43°F) 
    Lake District National Park 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Lake District National Park and Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands Lake District National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 106 mm (4.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 4°C (38°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 3°C (38°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 9°C (47°F) 50 mm (2 in) 10°C (51°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 52 mm (2 in) 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 102 mm (4 in) 12°C (54°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Oct 9°C (48°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 10°C (49°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)