Which place is cheaper, Cork or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Cork?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Cork, 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 Cork?
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.
Cork
Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Cork $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Cork is $108. 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 Cork in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Cork $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Cork $128
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Cork
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Cork? 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 Cork Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Cork $17
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 Cork?
Prices for flights to both Cork 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 $35Cork $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.
- Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
- Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
- Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Cork $9.95
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 Cork
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:
- Highlights of A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discover Cork's Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens Admission Ticket: $13
- City Gaol Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
- Cork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Guided Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Cork Instagram Photography Walking Tour: $22
- Tour guidé de Cork City centre en français: $24
- Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
- Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour : $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Cork $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 Cork
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:
- Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
- Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
- Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
- Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
- Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
- Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
- Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
- Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Cork, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Cork.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Cork Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Cork?
Cork has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Cork, 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 Cork?
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 Cork in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Cork. Also, many travelers come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is cooler than Cork in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Cork during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Cork. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Cork 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cork in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Cork. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Cork. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Cork averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Cork. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Cork 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cork in the Winter?
Both Cork and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Cork. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Cork during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cork. In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Cork. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Cork 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cork in the Spring?
Both Cork and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cork because of the activities around the city.
Akureyri can be very cold during spring. Akureyri is much colder than Cork in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Cork. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Cork. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cork 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)Cork 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Cork and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Cork | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 97 mm (3.8 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) | 7°C (45°F) | 101 mm (4 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.