Which place is cheaper, Inverness or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Inverness?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Inverness, 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 Inverness?
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.
Inverness
Inverness is the northernmost city in Scotland, often referred to as the "gateway to the Highlands" as roads through Inverness lead to some of the most beautiful places in the Highlands. The city and surrounding area have a centuries old history, ranging from the battle of Culloden in the 1700's to Urquhart Castle that dates back to the 13th century. Inverness is the ideal place to explore Scotland's history and beauty, especially on a walk through the city or along the shore of the Firth. The warmest time of year is from June to September with temperatures usually in the 60's Fahrenheit and lighter rain. The rest of the year tends to be rainy and colder, with temperatures in the 40's Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Inverness $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Inverness is $209. 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 Inverness in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Inverness $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Inverness $228
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Inverness
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Inverness? 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 Inverness Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Inverness $41
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 Inverness
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:
- Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184
- Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
- Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
- Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
- Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
- Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
- Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
- Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Inverness?
Prices for flights to both Inverness 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 $35Inverness $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Inverness $55
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 Inverness
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:
- City Discovery App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $15
- Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm): $15
- Guided Walking Tour with a Local: $17
- SEA LIFE Loch Lomond General Admission Ticket: $20
- Northern Highlights Sightseeing Pass: $25
- Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views: $27
- Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch: $38
- Glenaladale Cruise - Great for wizard spotting!: $38
- Inverness Bike Tour a 2 hours guided bike tour around the Waterways of Inverness: $39
- Gaskan cruise - Golden Eagles!: $44
- Puffin Tour: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Inverness $28
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 Inverness
Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
- Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Inverness, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Inverness?
Inverness has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Inverness, 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 Inverness?
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 Inverness in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Inverness. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Akureyri is cooler than Inverness. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Inverness averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Inverness during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Inverness. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Inverness 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Inverness in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Inverness. Additionally, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Inverness. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Inverness. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Inverness 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Inverness in the Winter?
Both Inverness and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. Akureyri is much colder than Inverness in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Inverness during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of rain as Inverness. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Inverness 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Inverness in the Spring?
Both Inverness and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Inverness. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Inverness averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Inverness. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Inverness. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Inverness 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Inverness and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Inverness | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 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.