Which place is cheaper, Galway or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Galway?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Galway, 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 Galway?
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.
Galway
Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Galway $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Galway is $140. 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 Galway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Galway $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Galway $150
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Galway
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Galway? 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 Galway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Galway $35
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 Galway
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
- Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
- Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
- Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90
- Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
- Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
- One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
- Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Galway?
Prices for flights to both Galway 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 $35Galway $35
Typical Food Prices in Galway
Some typical examples of dining costs in Galway are as follows:
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Fish & Chips Dinner$8.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Galway.
- Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
- Galway Food Tour: $107
- Galway Food Tours: $109
- Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
- Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Galway $13
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 Galway
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Galway are as follows:
- Cong The Quiet Man Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket: $8.17
- Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- City Centre App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Galway's City Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Welcome to Galway Walking Tour: $16
- Burren Botany Experience: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- The Legendary Walking Tour of Galway: $17
- City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Galway City: Guided 1.5-Hour Walking Tour: $21
- Dark History Guided City Walking Tour: $21
- Evening Guided Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Galway $16
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 Galway
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:
- Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355
When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Galway, we can see that Galway is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Galway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Galway?
Galway has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Galway, 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 Galway?
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 Galway in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Galway. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is cooler than Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Akureyri usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Galway. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Galway 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Galway in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Galway. Also, many visitors come to Galway 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 Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Galway averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Galway. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Galway. Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Galway 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Galway in the Winter?
Both Galway and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Galway 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 Galway. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Galway. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Galway 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Galway in the Spring?
Both Galway and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city.
Akureyri can be very cold during spring. Akureyri is much colder than Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Galway. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Galway 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Galway and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Galway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 125 mm (4.9 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.