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

Should you visit Sigulda or Bern?

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 Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Bern?

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.

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Bern or Sigulda?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sigulda is €24, while the average daily cost in Bern 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 Sigulda and Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sigulda 16
    Bern 151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sigulda 32
    Bern 302
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Bern

Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Bern? 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 Sigulda


Hotels in Bern


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: Sigulda Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Bern 31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
  • Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
  • Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Bern?

Prices for flights to both Bern and Sigulda 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
    Sigulda 7.81
    Bern 56
Typical Food Prices in Sigulda

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sigulda:


  • Pastry
    1.85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern

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

  • Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
  • Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Bern 31

Tours and Activities in Sigulda

Here are a few actual costs in Sigulda for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Thrilling Summer Bobsleigh Adventure in Latvia: $74
  • Riga: Private Sigulda, Turaida, and Gauja National Park Tour: $107
  • From Riga: Group Tour to Sigulda and Turaida: $128
  • Cēsis, Līgatne & Sigulda Tour: Must-see Highlights: $218

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
  • Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
  • Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
  • Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
  • Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sigulda -
    Bern 25

Sample the Local Flavors in Sigulda

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sigulda:

  • Latvian Brewery Visit & Sigulda City Tour (Full day tour): $144


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


Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Bern, 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 Bern?

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 Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Bern. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.

Sigulda is cooler than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Bern. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sigulda 17°C (63°F) 
    Bern 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Bern. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In the autumn, Sigulda is much colder than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sigulda in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sigulda 7°C (45°F) 
    Bern 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. It's quite cold in Sigulda in the winter. In January, Sigulda is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around -5°C (23°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Bern. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sigulda -5°C (23°F) 
    Bern 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Sigulda during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.

Sigulda is much colder than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sigulda 5°C (42°F) 
    Bern 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Bern and Sigulda

Sigulda Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)