Which place is cheaper, Isle of Skye or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Isle of Skye?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?
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.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is a series of islands lying off the west coast of Scotland, best known for their dazzling natural wonders. From the natural pools at the Fairy Glen to hiking Jurassic Period mountains, you'll never run out of beautiful sights to see. Spend your days wandering through the scenery that has been featured in various films and has inspired poets and artists throughout centuries. The best time to visit Skye is from May-August when temperatures are at their highest, in the 60's Fahrenheit, and rainfall is at its lowest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Isle of Skye $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Isle of Skye is $142. 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 Isle of Skye in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Isle of Skye $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Isle of Skye $128
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Isle of Skye
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Isle of Skye? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Isle of Skye $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,336
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $114
- Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isle of Skye
Also for Isle of Skye, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Isle of Skye to Inverness Direct transfer: $623
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Isle of Skye?
Prices for flights to both Isle of Skye 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 $35Isle of Skye $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Isle of Skye $23
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Private Tour with Myvatn Nature Baths by Luxury VAN: $1,957
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
- Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Tour: $122
- Hunt for the Northern Lights Photography Tour: $124
- Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Landscapes Tour: $155
- Mývatn Nature Baths and Goðafoss Waterfall Tour: $210
- Northern Lights Photography Tour: $141
- Northern Lights Tour: $107
- Northern Lights Tour in North Iceland: $120
- Siglufjörður Four Tunnel Private Day Tour: $748
- Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
- Zipline Tour: $90
Tours and Activities in Isle of Skye
For Isle of Skye, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree: $228
- Tour the highlights and hidden beauties.: $812
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Isle of Skye $9.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143
When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Isle of Skye, we can see that Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Isle of Skye?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Akureyri or Isle of Skye in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Isle of Skye. Additionally, many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is cooler than Isle of Skye in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the summer, Akureyri often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 150 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Isle of Skye 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Isle of Skye in the Autumn?
Both Isle of Skye and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Isle of Skye. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Isle of Skye averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Isle of Skye during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Isle of Skye 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Isle of Skye in the Winter?
Both Isle of Skye and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the cuisine.
The weather in Isle of Skye can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Isle of Skye. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 41 hours of full sun.
Isle of Skye gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Isle of Skye 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Isle of Skye in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Isle of Skye. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Isle of Skye in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Isle of Skye during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Isle of Skye. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Isle of Skye 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Isle of Skye and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Isle of Skye | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 120 mm (4.7 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.