Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Cologne, 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 Cologne?
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.
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Cologne? 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 Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Cologne $20
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne 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 $35Cologne $54
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner$15
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Donner Kebab$4.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Cologne $22
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
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Cologne $24
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 Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Cologne, we can see that Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Cologne?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Cologne, 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 Cologne?
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 Cologne in the Summer?
Both Cologne and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Akureyri is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Cologne. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cologne in the Autumn?
Both Cologne and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. Akureyri is much colder than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cologne. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cologne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Cologne. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Cologne. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cologne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Cologne. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°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.