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

Should you visit Akureyri or Calais?

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

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

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.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais 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 Calais is $149. 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 Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $89
    Calais $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $178
    Calais $166
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Calais? 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 Calais


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 Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $20
    Calais $50

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais 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
    Calais $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $16
    Calais $9.56

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Calais $13

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 Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Akureyri is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Calais. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Akureyri or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. Akureyri is much colder than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Calais. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Akureyri or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Calais. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Calais. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Calais. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Calais. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Calais. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Akureyri

Akureyri Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)