A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sigulda vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sigulda or Balaton Lake?

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 Sigulda and Balaton Lake can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Balaton Lake?

Sigulda

Only 50 kilometers from Riga, Sigulda can be reached by either train or bus. The town is pleasantly situated in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia in the beautiful Gauja Valley. The area is quite scenic with steep banks and cliffs, and has earned itself the title as the "Switzerland of Latvia." Don't put too much emphasis on this name, but it is a pleasant area to explore, particularly if you're looking to get outside of the city and immerse yourself in some pristine wilderness.

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Balaton Lake?

Sigulda has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Balaton Lake, 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 Sigulda or Balaton Lake?

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 Sigulda or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Balaton Lake.

In July, Sigulda is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sigulda or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Balaton Lake.

Sigulda is much colder than Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Sigulda. In the winter, Sigulda is much colder than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

In January, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sigulda or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Sigulda during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Sigulda is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Sigulda