A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Plitvice Lakes National Park vs. Cairngorms National Park for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a world-famous, spectacular, and scenic national park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a remote, beautiful, and serene national park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking.

Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park than Cairngorms National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Plitvice Lakes National Park is better known for its impressive beauty, while Cairngorms National Park is more popular for its food. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Cairngorms National Park and is known for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is famous for the terraced chain of lakes. Cairngorms National Park is well known for its impressive hikes, scenic natural beauty, and nice mountains.

How is Plitvice Lakes National Park different from Cairngorms National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cairngorms National Park is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cairngorms National Park. There are a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in the area that offer hearty dishes to fill a hungry hiker.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park Better for Hiking?

You'll find very good hiking in both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park.

Many visitors go to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Cairngorms National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are hikes for every skill level. You'll find waterfalls, open glens, mountains, and beautiful lakes. Some of the best hikes include the Falls of Bruar, Morrone, and the Seven Bridges Trail.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very family-friendly destination. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Cairngorms National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. The outdoor wilderness, natural lakes, and fun activities make for a great family holiday. Head to the beach at Loch Morlich or go for a pony trek. You can also take a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway or if the kids are craving a bit more excitement head to Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park Better for Couples?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Cairngorms National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. The hiking, natural beauty, and stunning setting make for a wonderful couples getaway. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the serene setting and it's not uncommon for some couples to get engaged in this beautiful park.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cairngorms National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cairngorms National Park. Transportation without a car is basically impossible, but camping is a great way to experience the park to its fullest without breaking the bank.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Public transit is generally limited in Cairngorms National Park. To fully explore the park, you really need to have your own vehicle, but there are local buses and trains that travel to the park.

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Cairngorms National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairngorms National Park or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

How long in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

In either Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairngorms National Park than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Plitvice Lakes National Park, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairngorms National Park.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park than Cairngorms National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

One day in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

With around the scenic national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park, there's plenty to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Cairngorms National Park, you'll find food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

With around the scenic destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cairngorms National Park is a fun place to experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

You'll find around the spectacular national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In Cairngorms National Park, you'll find food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great place to explore. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The remote national park of Cairngorms National Park offers food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Cairngorms National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Cairngorms National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.

In July, Plitvice Lakes National Park is generally much warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Plitvice Lakes National Park average around 22°C (72°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Plitvice Lakes National Park usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during summer. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 147 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Plitvice Lakes National Park usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Plitvice Lakes National Park as well as Cairngorms National Park. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Plitvice Lakes National Park averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Plitvice Lakes National Park often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 84 hours of full sun.

Plitvice Lakes National Park usually gets more rain in October than Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the winter for the cuisine.

Cairngorms National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Plitvice Lakes National Park. In the winter, Plitvice Lakes National Park is much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Plitvice Lakes National Park in January average around 1°C (35°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Plitvice Lakes National Park usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during winter. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Plitvice Lakes National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Cairngorms National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Plitvice Lakes National Park is generally much warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Plitvice Lakes National Park average around 13°C (55°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Plitvice Lakes National Park often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 136 hours of full sun.

Plitvice Lakes National Park usually gets more rain in April than Cairngorms National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park