Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $191Koh Pha Ngan $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $191, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $59. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $104Koh Pha Ngan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $208Koh Pha Ngan $52
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Koh Pha Ngan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $30
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.08
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Ferry Ride$15
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Gas for Scooter$3.33
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $71Koh Pha Ngan $20
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.21
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.21
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Ice Cream$0.61
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Juice$1.82
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3 Spring Rolls$0.91
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2 Pancakes$1.82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $19Koh Pha Ngan $19
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $77
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour near Akureyri: $82
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
- Húsavík: Family-Run Whale Watching Tour: $90
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Whale Watching from Akureyri Small Group Boat Tour Hjalteyri: $99
- Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Akureyri is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In January, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.