Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Sigulda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sigulda or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sigulda or Helsinki?
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySigulda €24Helsinki €139
The average daily cost (per person) in Sigulda is €24, while the average daily cost in Helsinki 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 Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSigulda €16Helsinki €73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSigulda €32Helsinki €146
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sigulda -Helsinki €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL in Business Car: $97
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $144
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $129
- Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $134
- Helsinki City hotels to Helsinki Airport (HEL) Departure Transfer: $41
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
- Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
- Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $98
- Helsinki Stopover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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 €7.81Helsinki €34
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $106
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sigulda -Helsinki €27
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 Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $5.13
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $6.95
- Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.56
- From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.64
- Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.62
- Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 4D Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki Tickets: $14
- Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySigulda -Helsinki €16
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 Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Helsinki?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Helsinki, 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 Helsinki?
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 Helsinki in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Helsinki. Also, many visitors come to Helsinki in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sigulda is around the same temperature as Helsinki. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sigulda in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Helsinki averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Helsinki. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySigulda 17°C (63°F)Helsinki 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Helsinki in the Autumn?
Both Helsinki and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 7°C (45°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSigulda 7°C (45°F)Helsinki 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Helsinki in the Winter?
Both Helsinki and Sigulda during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Sigulda can be very cold during winter. Sigulda is a little warmer than Helsinki in the winter. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Helsinki fluctuates around -6°C (21°F).
Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Helsinki. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySigulda -5°C (23°F)Helsinki -6°C (21°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Helsinki in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Helsinki. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the spring. In the spring, Sigulda is much warmer than Helsinki. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sigulda in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Helsinki averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In April, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Helsinki. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSigulda 5°C (42°F)Helsinki 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Helsinki and Sigulda
| Sigulda | Helsinki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.