A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Akureyri vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Akureyri or Karlovy Vary?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Akureyri?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $185, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $113. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $100
    Karlovy Vary $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $200
    Karlovy Vary $88
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Karlovy Vary? 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.

Hotels in Akureyri


Hotels in Karlovy Vary


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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $23
    Karlovy Vary $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $163
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $116
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $129
  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Akureyri $69
    Karlovy Vary $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $18
    Karlovy Vary $13

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
  • Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $293
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Akureyri Port: Hot Godafoss Waterfall Tour & The Forest Lagoon: $156
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $328
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $182
  • Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $246
  • Akureyri Port: Small Group Godafoss and Laufas Turf House Tour: $164
  • Akureyri Private Tour Godafoss Myvatn Grjotagja Hverir Viti: $255
  • Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.

  • Tourist Cinema Experience: $5.78
  • Home of Becherovka Visitor Center Guided Tour: $14
  • Moser Glassworks Tour with Museum Entry: $17
  • Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $46
  • Mineral Hot Springs Tasting and Walking Tour: $47
  • Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $180
  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $240
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $268
  • Best of Karlovy Vary Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $270
  • Private Walking Tour: $279
  • Elegant Private Walking Tour With Local Guide: $305

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $14
    Karlovy Vary $7.38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

Both Karlovy Vary and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit.

Akureyri is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Karlovy Vary.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Karlovy Vary.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

Both Karlovy Vary and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Akureyri

Akureyri Karlovy Vary
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)