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

Should you visit Sigulda or Flam?

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

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Flam?

Sigulda has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sigulda is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sigulda usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Flam. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sigulda is cooler than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sigulda in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Flam. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sigulda or Flam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Flam. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Sigulda can be very cold. In January, Sigulda is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around -5°C (23°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Sigulda is cooler than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In April, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Flam. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Sigulda