Which place is cheaper, Cairngorms National Park or Sigulda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sigulda 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 Sigulda and Cairngorms National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park?
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.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is an over 1,700 square mile park in the center of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the country. Voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the park features everything from castles to wildlife tours to white water rafting. There is really no bad time to visit the park, as you will always have something to see and do here! In the winter, from late November-March, you can ski the slopes and go on snow treks. Summer, from May-September, is fantastic for walking, hiking, and canoeing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySigulda €24Cairngorms National Park €139
The average daily cost (per person) in Sigulda is €24, while the average daily cost in Cairngorms National Park is €139. 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 Cairngorms National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSigulda €16Cairngorms National Park €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSigulda €32Cairngorms National Park €130
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Cairngorms National Park
Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Cairngorms 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.
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 Cairngorms National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sigulda -Cairngorms National Park €62
Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park?
Prices for flights to both Cairngorms National Park 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
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Food Meals for one daySigulda €7.81Cairngorms National Park €35
Typical Food Prices in Sigulda
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sigulda:
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Pastry€1.85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sigulda -Cairngorms National Park €31
Tours and Activities in Sigulda
Here are a few actual costs in Sigulda for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cēsis, Līgatne & Sigulda Tour: Must-see Highlights: $218
- From Riga: Group Tour to Sigulda and Turaida: $128
- Riga: Private Sigulda, Turaida, and Gauja National Park Tour: $107
- Thrilling Summer Bobsleigh Adventure in Latvia: $74
Tours and Activities in Cairngorms National Park
For Cairngorms National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Walking Tour to Ben Macdui Scotland: $114
- Cairn Gorm Mountain Adventure Private Hike: $168
- Private Guided Mountain Walking Experience in the Cairngorms: $177
- Private Guided Ridge Scrambling Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Rock Climbing Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Winter Mountain Walking Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Winter Mountaineering Experience in the Cairngorms: $222
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySigulda -Cairngorms National Park €9.83
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 Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park?
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 Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Cairngorms National Park. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.
In July, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Cairngorms National Park. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySigulda 17°C (63°F)Cairngorms National Park 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?
Both Cairngorms National Park and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Sigulda is cooler than Cairngorms National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In October, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cairngorms National Park. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSigulda 7°C (45°F)Cairngorms National Park 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?
Both Cairngorms National Park and Sigulda during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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 Sigulda. In the winter, Sigulda is much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 3°C (38°F).
Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Cairngorms National Park. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySigulda -5°C (23°F)Cairngorms National Park 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Cairngorms National Park. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cairngorms National Park for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Sigulda is generally cooler than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In April, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSigulda 5°C (42°F)Cairngorms National Park 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Sigulda
| Sigulda | Cairngorms National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.