Which place is cheaper, Bern or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Bern, 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 Bern?
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.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Bern $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Bern is $249. 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 Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Bern $161
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Bern $322
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Bern? 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Bern $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $27
- Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $32
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $114
- From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,336
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern 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
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Food Meals for one dayAkureyri $35Bern $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Bern $34
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Geothermal Sea-baths admission ticket: $47
- Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $71
- Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $80
- Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $80
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $83
- Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík: $86
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
- Zipline Tour: $90
- Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $92
- The Viking Horse Riding Experience in North Iceland: $93
- Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $94
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Bern $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Akureyri would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Akureyri 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Akureyri.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Bern?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Bern, 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 Akureyri or Bern?
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 Akureyri or Bern in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Bern. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Akureyri is much colder than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Bern. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Bern. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Bern. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bern in the Winter?
Both Bern and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bern. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bern in the Spring?
Both Bern and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. Akureyri is much colder than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Bern. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.