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

Should you visit Sigulda or Orkney Islands?

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 Orkney Islands can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Orkney Islands?

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.

Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are located off the north coast of mainland Scotland, offering incredible sights and activities set against the Atlantic Ocean. Having been inhabited for over 5,000 years, Orkney is an archaeologist's dream as ancient relics are discovered all the time, meaning there are endless places for tourists to explore. The best time to visit Orkney is from May-October, when temperatures tend to stay between 50-65° Fahrenheit and rainfall is at it's lowest. Although, with their location on the sea, rain and heavy winds are very common, so be sure to always have waterproof clothing and shoes around!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

When is the best time to visit Sigulda or Orkney Islands?

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 Orkney Islands in the Summer?

Both Orkney Islands and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year.

In July, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Orkney Islands. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Orkney Islands in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Orkney Islands. Furthermore, many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Sigulda is cooler than Orkney Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sigulda or Orkney Islands in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Orkney Islands. Additionally, many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Orkney Islands can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Sigulda. In the winter, Sigulda is much colder than Orkney Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Orkney Islands. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Orkney Islands in the Spring?

Both Orkney Islands and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Sigulda is generally cooler than Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In April, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Orkney Islands and Sigulda