Which place is cheaper, Kilkenny or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Kilkenny?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?
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.
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city in the southeast of Ireland with a history dating back to the medieval era. It has a long-established religious heritage with many historic buildings including castles, cathedrals, abbeys, and churches. Kilkenny is also a popular tourist destination due to its rich history as well as its current culture which is very active in the arts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Kilkenny $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Kilkenny is $96. 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 Kilkenny in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Kilkenny $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Kilkenny $96
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Kilkenny
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Kilkenny? 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 Kilkenny Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Kilkenny $23
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Kilkenny?
Prices for flights to both Kilkenny 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 $35Kilkenny $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Kilkenny $16
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 Kilkenny
Here are a few actual costs in Kilkenny for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Medieval Mile Museum Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.81
- Historical Highlights Walking Tour: $13
- Kilkenny city tour in German.: $13
- Best of Kilkenny, two hour walking tour with a qualified guide: $13
- Historical tour of Kilkenny in French.: $13
- The Medieval Mile Museum Guided Tour: $13
- Guided City Boat Tour with Kilkenny Castle Views: $16
- Knight For Hire Tour: $16
- Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tours: $21
- The Witch Tour: $21
- Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tours: $21
- Smithwick's Beer Experience: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Kilkenny $13
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 Kilkenny
Also in Kilkenny, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kilkenny Culinary and Brewery Tour: $150
- Kilkenny Culinary and Brewery Tour : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Kilkenny, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Kilkenny Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Kilkenny?
Kilkenny has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?
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 Kilkenny in the Summer?
Both Kilkenny and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Akureyri is cooler than Kilkenny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 15°C (60°F).
Akureyri usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Kilkenny 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kilkenny in the Autumn?
Both Kilkenny and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Kilkenny 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kilkenny in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Kilkenny. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. Akureyri is much colder than Kilkenny in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Kilkenny during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Kilkenny 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Kilkenny in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Kilkenny. Additionally, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the spring for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Kilkenny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Kilkenny. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Kilkenny 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Kilkenny | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.