Which place is cheaper, Cuenca 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 Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $189Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $102Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $204Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Cuenca $11
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $70Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- 4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Cuenca $16
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 Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour: $16
- Cuenca Chocolate Tour with Practice Class: $20
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cuenca Bike Tour with Coffee and Appetizer: $43
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Cuenca, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Cuenca is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In July, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Akureyri usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. Akureyri is much colder than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Cuenca. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.