A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Akureyri vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Akureyri or Arequipa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Akureyri or Arequipa?

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Akureyri?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Akureyri Prices
    Iceland Prices
    Arequipa Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Akureyri $189
    Arequipa $62

The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Akureyri and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $102
    Arequipa $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $204
    Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Arequipa? 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 Akureyri


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Akureyri Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $23
    Arequipa $6.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $93
  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $163

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.47
  • Bus Ride
    $0.47
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $110
  • 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $135
  • Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
  • Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
  • Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
  • Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Akureyri 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
    Akureyri $70
    Arequipa $26

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.44
  • Lunch
    $3.09
  • Ice Cream
    $1.18
  • Fruit
    $0.88
  • Ice Cream
    $1.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.

  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
  • Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
  • A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
  • Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $18
    Arequipa $20

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
  • War and Peace Museum - Tour: $23
  • Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
  • From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $76
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
  • Zipline Tour: $95
  • Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
  • Húsavík Whale Watching Tour with Heated Indoor Seating: $100
  • Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $100
  • Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour: $100
  • 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa

Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.94
  • Salsa Class
    $2.94
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.21
  • Hot Springs
    $2.94

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
  • Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
  • Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
  • Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
  • Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
  • Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
  • Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
  • City Tour Arequipa: $20
  • Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
  • Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
  • Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
  • Arequipa Sillar Stone Quarries and Culebrillas Canyon Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $15
    Arequipa $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Arequipa, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Arequipa is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Arequipa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Arequipa?

Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Arequipa, 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.