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

Should you visit Akureyri or Caen?

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

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

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.

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Caen 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 Caen 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 Caen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $89
    Caen $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $178
    Caen $130
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Caen

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Caen? 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 Caen


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 Caen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $20
    Caen $38

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 Caen

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

  • Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) to Caen - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Caen to Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer Round-Trip from Caen Airport (CFR) to Caen: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Caen?

Prices for flights to both Caen 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
    Caen $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $16
    Caen $20

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 Caen

For Caen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Memorial Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour: $51
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $59
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Caen: $60
  • Private Guided Bike Tour of Cabourg and Dives in French: $74
  • Guided Tour in an Old Convertible Car on the Côte de Nacre: $93
  • Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket: $127
  • Mémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites: $133
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $160
  • Guided Tour of the Landing Sites and the Memorial of Caen: $191
  • Small Group Guided D-Day Tour and Mémorial de Caen Museum: $201
  • D-Day private tour Juno Beach departing Caen with audio guide. 2Pers. minimum: $268

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Caen $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:

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


When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Caen, 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 Caen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Caen. Additionally, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Akureyri is much colder than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Caen. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Caen. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Caen 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Caen. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Caen 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Caen. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Caen. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Caen 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Caen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Caen. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Caen. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Caen 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Caen and Akureyri

Akureyri Caen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)