Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Sigulda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sigulda or Interlaken?
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 Interlaken can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sigulda or Interlaken?
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.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySigulda €24Interlaken €217
The average daily cost (per person) in Sigulda is €24, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is €217. 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 Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSigulda €16Interlaken €125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSigulda €32Interlaken €250
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Interlaken? 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 Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sigulda -Interlaken €12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
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Cable Cars (for 2)€62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken 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 €7.81Interlaken €60
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
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Tea at Interlaken€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sigulda -Interlaken €97
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 Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Hofstetten bei Brienz: Trauffer Erlebniswelt Ticket: $16
- Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $29
- Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $42
- Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $46
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder: $86
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder (Top of Interlaken): $102
- Interlaken Valley Bike Tour: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $108
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
- Waterfalls Day Tour: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySigulda -Interlaken €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 Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Interlaken?
Sigulda has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?
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 Interlaken in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Interlaken. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
Sigulda is cooler than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Sigulda usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySigulda 17°C (63°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Interlaken in the Autumn?
Both Interlaken and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sigulda is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sigulda in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).
In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSigulda 7°C (45°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Interlaken in the Winter?
Both Interlaken and Sigulda during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine.
Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Sigulda. In January, Sigulda is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around -5°C (23°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySigulda -5°C (23°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Interlaken in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Interlaken. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months.
Sigulda is much colder than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In April, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSigulda 5°C (42°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Sigulda
| Sigulda | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.