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

Should you visit Akureyri or Leiden?

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

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

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.

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden 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 $189, while the average daily cost in Leiden is $188. 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 Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $102
    Leiden $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $204
    Leiden $180
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Leiden? 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 Leiden


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 Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $23
    Leiden $30

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 from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $93
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden

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

  • Historical Private Tour of Delft and Leiden including Transfer: $258
  • Premium electric transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $100
  • Private Tour of The Hague and Leiden including Transfer: $247

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden 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 $70
    Leiden $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $18
    Leiden $20

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $164
  • 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: $133
  • Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169

Tours and Activities in Leiden

For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Pilgrims and Painters of A Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Pub Trail an adventure full of surprises: $13
  • Hortus botanicus Leiden Entry Ticket: $13
  • Guided City Canal Cruise: $15
  • The Best of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Cruise through the Historic City Center with Guide: $16
  • Self-Guided City Trail Kids Tour in Noordwijk (4-8 years): $22
  • 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden: $23
  • Historical and Fun City Tour in German, English, or Dutch: $23
  • Self Guided Secrets of Leiden Exploration Game Tour: $23
  • Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Sea Tour: $28
  • Windmill cruise from Leiden: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $15
    Leiden $30


When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Leiden, we can see that Akureyri 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 Leiden Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Leiden?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Leiden, 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 Leiden?

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 Leiden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Leiden. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Akureyri is generally cooler than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leiden. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Leiden in the Autumn?

Both Leiden and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Leiden. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Akureyri or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Leiden 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Leiden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Leiden.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Leiden. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and Akureyri

Akureyri Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)