Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Carcassonne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?
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.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Carcassonne $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is $114. 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 Carcassonne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Carcassonne $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Carcassonne $130
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Carcassonne
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Carcassonne? 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 Carcassonne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Carcassonne $7.65
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Carcassonne?
Prices for flights to both Carcassonne 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 $35Carcassonne $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Carcassonne $15
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 Carcassonne
For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
- Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
- Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
- Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
- Languedoc: Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Baronarques: $21
- Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders: $22
- Unusual Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Carcassonne: $22
- Small group tour of the Cité de Carcassonne: $49
- Complete Private Tour City and Castle of Carcassonne: $109
- Cité de Private Guided Tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Carcassonne $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 Carcassonne
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:
- Wine tour Cathar country: $471
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Carcassonne, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Carcassonne.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Carcassonne?
Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?
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 Carcassonne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Carcassonne. Additionally, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is much colder than Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Carcassonne. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Carcassonne 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Carcassonne in the Autumn?
Both Carcassonne and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Carcassonne 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Carcassonne in the Winter?
Both Carcassonne and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine.
Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Carcassonne 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Carcassonne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Carcassonne. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Carcassonne 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Carcassonne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.