Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesCologne Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $189Cologne $223
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $223. 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 $102Cologne $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $204Cologne $212
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 $23Cologne $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $93
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $163
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
- Cologne Bonn CGN Airport to Hotels Private Transfer: $37
- Private Limousine Transfer from Cologne Airport to Cologne City: $107
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 $70Cologne $94
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$16
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Donner Kebab$4.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Private Farmers Market Tour and Home Cooking Class in Cologne: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Cologne $23
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $23
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $76
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Húsavík Whale Watching Tour with Heated Indoor Seating: $100
- Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $100
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour: $100
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Original funky fun tour of Cologne: $3.54
- Cologne Highlights, Stories, and Local Atmosphere Tour: $3.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.92
- Aachen Self Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.92
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.47
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.47
- Cologne Cathedral tour audio guide with mobile phone: $6.99
- Cologne Walking Tour from Roman Era to World War 2 with an App: $6.99
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.09
- Cologne Interactive City Tour: $8.29
- Cologne Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.46
- Aachen Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Cologne $26
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 1 Brewery Visit & 1 Beer: $21
- Informative and fun brewery tour in German, public: $23
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $23
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $24
- Cologne-Kölsch Live: Brewery Tour with a Brewmaster - Kölsch, Culture & Insights: $29
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $32
- Black wine tasting with secret station – Haus der Manufakturen: $33
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $33
- Kölsch Brewery Tour with 3 Beers Included: $33
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
- Brewery Tour with Kölsch and Halven Hahn: $34
- Veloloco Rickshaw Tour Cologne Sightseeing Wedding Brewery Birthdays: $47
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.