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

Should you visit Sigulda or Cologne?

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

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Cologne?

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.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne 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 Cologne is €161. 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 Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sigulda 16
    Cologne 91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sigulda 32
    Cologne 182
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Cologne? 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 Cologne


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 Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Cologne 19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne 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
    Cologne 50
Typical Food Prices in Sigulda

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


  • Pastry
    1.85

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

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


  • Dinner
    14
  • Donner Kebab
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

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

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Cologne 20

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 Cologne

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

  • Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sigulda -
    Cologne 23

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33


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


Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sigulda is generally cooler than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In July, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sigulda 17°C (63°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Sigulda during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

Sigulda is much colder than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sigulda 7°C (45°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Cologne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In January, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Cologne. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Sigulda or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Cologne. Additionally, many visitors come to Cologne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Sigulda is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sigulda 5°C (42°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Sigulda

Sigulda Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)