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

Should you visit Sigulda or Kiel?

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

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel 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 Kiel is €138. 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sigulda 16
    Kiel 67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sigulda 32
    Kiel 134
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Kiel? 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 Kiel


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 Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Kiel 54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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
    Kiel 39
Typical Food Prices in Sigulda

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


  • Pastry
    1.85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Kiel 19

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 Kiel

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

  • Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sigulda -
    Kiel 12

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 Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Kiel?

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

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 Kiel in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Sigulda is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sigulda in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In July, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Kiel. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sigulda 17°C (63°F) 
    Kiel 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Kiel in the Autumn?

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

In October, Sigulda is generally cooler than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 7°C (45°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sigulda 7°C (45°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Kiel in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Sigulda in the winter. Sigulda is much colder than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sigulda -5°C (23°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Kiel in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Sigulda is cooler than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sigulda in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sigulda 5°C (42°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Sigulda

Sigulda Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)