Which place is cheaper, Tartu or Sigulda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sigulda or Tartu?
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 Tartu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sigulda or Tartu?
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.
Tartu
Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySigulda €24Tartu €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Sigulda is €24, while the average daily cost in Tartu is €105. 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 Tartu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSigulda €16Tartu €47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSigulda €32Tartu €94
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Tartu
Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Tartu? 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 Tartu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sigulda -Tartu €27
Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Tartu?
Prices for flights to both Tartu 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 €7.81Tartu €37
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 Tartu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:
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Danishes€0.76
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Lunch for Two€4.93
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Ice Cream€1.27
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Cookies€0.51
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Coffee & Cake€3.47
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sigulda -Tartu €16
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu
For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Art Museum ticket€0.95
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Movie Ticket€3.47
Tours and Activities in Tartu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.
- European Capital of Culture 2024 - Cycling Tour: $14
- Around Viljandi bike tour: $27
- TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR & KENNEL VISIT: $75
- Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $127
- Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $142
- Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $199
- Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $234
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySigulda -Tartu €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 Tartu, we can see that Tartu 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 Tartu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tartu 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 Tartu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Tartu?
Tartu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Tartu, 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 Tartu?
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 Tartu in the Summer?
Both Tartu and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sigulda is generally around the same temperature as Tartu. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Tartu fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Tartu. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySigulda 17°C (63°F)Tartu 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Tartu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Tartu. Also, most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Sigulda is a little warmer than Tartu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Tartu fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In October, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Tartu. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSigulda 7°C (45°F)Tartu 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Tartu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Tartu. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Sigulda can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sigulda is a little warmer than Tartu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Tartu averages at about -7°C (19°F).
Sigulda usually gets more rain in January than Tartu. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySigulda -5°C (23°F)Tartu -7°C (19°F)
Should I visit Sigulda or Tartu in the Spring?
Both Tartu and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.
It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. In April, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Tartu. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Tartu fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In April, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Tartu. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSigulda 5°C (42°F)Tartu 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Tartu and Sigulda
| Sigulda | Tartu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -6°C (20°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.