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

Should you visit Akureyri or Birmingham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Birmingham, 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 Birmingham?

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.

Birmingham

Birmingham, England, is often known as Britain's second-largest city. It is located in the western Midlands of England. Birmingham is nearly in the center of England, so almost all rail and motorways cross here. The city gained popularity and status during the industrial revolution and is still one of the main cities for industrial production and power, ranging from electricity to metal. Because of its importance as an industrial hub, it is one of the most populated cities in England. In more recent years, Birmingham has done a lot to add to the overall cultural scene of the city with the addition of museums and art.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Birmingham or Akureyri?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Birmingham is $165. 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 Birmingham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $89
    Birmingham $82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $178
    Birmingham $164
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Birmingham

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Birmingham? 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 Birmingham


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 Birmingham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $20
    Birmingham $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,336
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $114
  • Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $32
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Birmingham

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

  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Luxury Van: $76
  • Birmingham Airport (BHX): Private Transfer to Birmingham: $111
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Airport BHX to Birmingham City in Luxury Car: $101
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Birmingham City to Airport BHX in Business Car: $64
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to City centre: $114
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham city centre to Birmingham Airport: $114
  • Birmingham to Heathrow Airport private taxi transfers: $280
  • Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Birmingham: $8.12
  • Private Birmingham Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $57
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham City: $36
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $199

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Birmingham?

Prices for flights to both Birmingham 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 $35
    Birmingham $48

Typical Food Prices in Birmingham

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Birmingham:


  • Two Subs at Birmingham Bus Station
    $6.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Birmingham

For Birmingham, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking and Food Tour: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $16
    Birmingham $60

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Akureyri Private Tour with Myvatn Nature Baths by Luxury VAN: $1,957
  • 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
  • Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Tour: $122
  • Hunt for the Northern Lights Photography Tour: $124
  • Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Landscapes Tour: $155
  • Mývatn Nature Baths and Goðafoss Waterfall Tour: $210
  • Northern Lights Photography Tour: $141
  • Northern Lights Tour: $107
  • Northern Lights Tour in North Iceland: $120
  • Siglufjörður Four Tunnel Private Day Tour: $748
  • Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
  • Zipline Tour: $90

Tours and Activities in Birmingham

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

  • On the Origins of Charles Darwin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Shrewsbury: $6.99
  • Winterbourne House and Garden Admission Ticket: $9.99
  • Skip the Line: House and Garden Admission Ticket : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
  • City Center Walking Tour (10:30am & 5:00pm): $15
  • Birmingham Walking Tour: Migration Stories from the Stratford Road : $15
  • Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 5pm): $15
  • Discovering Birmingham Walking Tour: $17
  • 2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba: $18
  • Victorian Canals to Today's City Walking Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Birmingham $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:

  • Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143

Sample the Local Flavors in Birmingham

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Birmingham:

  • Birmingham Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47


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


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Birmingham, 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 Birmingham?

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 Akureyri or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Akureyri is much colder than Birmingham in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Birmingham 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Birmingham. Also, the shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Birmingham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Birmingham averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Birmingham 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Birmingham. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Birmingham 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Birmingham in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Birmingham 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Akureyri

Akureyri Birmingham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 64 mm (2.5 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) 6°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)