Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Kiel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Kiel, 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 Kiel?
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.
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
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 Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Kiel $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. 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 Kiel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Kiel $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Kiel
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Kiel? 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 Kiel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Kiel $58
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 Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Kiel?
Prices for flights to both Kiel 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 $35Kiel $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Kiel $20
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 Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Kiel $13
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 Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Kiel?
Kiel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Kiel, 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 Kiel?
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 Kiel in the Summer?
Both Kiel and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Akureyri is cooler than Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Kiel. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Kiel. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Kiel 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kiel in the Autumn?
Both Kiel and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Kiel 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kiel in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Kiel. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Kiel. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Kiel 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kiel in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Kiel. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Kiel 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Kiel and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Kiel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.