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

Should you visit Sigulda or Turku?

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

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Turku?

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.

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Turku 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 Turku is €136. 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 Turku in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sigulda 16
    Turku 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sigulda 32
    Turku 152
Compare Hotels in Sigulda and Turku

Looking for a hotel in Sigulda or Turku? 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 Turku


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 Turku Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sigulda -
    Turku 44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $73
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
  • One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,104

Is it cheaper to fly into Sigulda or Turku?

Prices for flights to both Turku 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
    Turku 32
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 -
    Turku 22

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: $217
  • 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: $73

Tours and Activities in Turku

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.

  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $130
  • Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $132
  • Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $309
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $521
  • Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $656
  • Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $763

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sigulda -
    Turku 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 Turku, we can see that Turku 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku 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 Turku Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Turku?

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

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 Turku in the Summer?

Both Turku and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit.

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

Sigulda usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Turku. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Sigulda or Turku in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Turku.

In October, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 7°C (45°F), and Turku fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Turku. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sigulda 7°C (45°F) 
    Turku 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Turku in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Turku.

Turku can be very cold during winter. Sigulda can get quite cold in the winter. Sigulda is a little warmer than Turku in the winter. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Turku fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Turku. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sigulda -5°C (23°F) 
    Turku -6°C (20°F)

Should I visit Sigulda or Turku in the Spring?

Both Turku and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In the spring, Sigulda is much warmer than Turku. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sigulda in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Turku averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In April, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sigulda 5°C (42°F) 
    Turku 3°C (37°F)

Typical Weather for Turku and Sigulda

Sigulda Turku
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 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) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)