Which place is cheaper, Bruges or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Bruges?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Bruges, 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 Bruges?
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.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Bruges $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Bruges is $132. 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 Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Bruges $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Bruges $126
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Bruges? 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 Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Bruges $18
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass$16
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Bike Rental for Day$8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Bruges to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Brugge Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Brugge: $111
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Disneyland Paris (1 to 8 SEATS): $291
- Brussels airport transfer (BRU) <-> from or to Bruges (3 pax sedan): $261
- Private Direct Transfer From Bruges to Amsterdam: $274
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Bruges to Brussels By Business car: $152
- Private Transfer from ZeeBrugge or Bruges to Antwerp By Luxury car: $163
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels : $33
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels : $143
- PrivateTransfer from Zeebrugge Port to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST): $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges 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 $35Bruges $55
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea$2.14
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Sandwich for Lunch$3.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $133
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Bruges $16
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance$8.57
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- Self-Guided City Game and Audio Tour App: $2.67
- Unforgettable Sightseeings, History and Tasting.: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bruges Guided Walking Tour: Stories, Mysteries and People: $3.21
- Storytelling Tour Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips: $3.27
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges: $3.27
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Bruges: $3.27
- Walking Tour Exciting Stories, Mysteries, People: $3.28
- Bruges city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.35
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Bruges: $5.46
- Medieval A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Bruges $12
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 Bruges
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
- Bruges Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $17
- Private: Discover Bruges beers & brewery with chocolate pairing by a young local: $191
- Beer walking tour with visit Brewery Bourgogne de Flandres: $642
When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Bruges, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Bruges?
Bruges has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Bruges, 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 Bruges?
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 Bruges in the Summer?
Both Bruges and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Akureyri is generally much colder than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Bruges. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Bruges 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bruges in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Bruges. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. Akureyri is much colder than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Bruges. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Bruges 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bruges in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Bruges. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bruges. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Bruges 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bruges in the Spring?
Both Bruges and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Bruges. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Bruges 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Bruges and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Bruges | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.