Which place is cheaper, Lucerne or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Akureyri or Lucerne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?
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.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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 in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.
-
Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesLucerne Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $189Lucerne $303
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Lucerne is $303. 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 Lucerne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $102Lucerne $160
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $204Lucerne $320
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Lucerne
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Lucerne? 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 Lucerne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Lucerne $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $93
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
- Lucerne to Interlaken & Jungfrau Private Tour/Transfer: $562
- Lucerne to St. Moritz: Private Day Tour or Transfer: $1,098
- Lucerne to Zermatt: Private Day Trip or Transfer: $1,248
- Private Transfer to Geneva with Montreux Stop: $1,373
- Private Transfer between Lucerne & Engelberg / Mount Titlis: $200
- Private Transfer from Lucerne City to Lucerne Train Station: $95
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Engelberg: $180
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $325
- Private Transfer: Lucerne to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $216
- Private Transfer: Luzern Train Station to/from Luzern Hotel: $128
- Private direct transfer from Lucerne to Basel, local driver: $254
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Lucerne?
Prices for flights to both Lucerne 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 dayAkureyri $70Lucerne $126
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Lucerne $40
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: $165
- 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: $157
- 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: $165
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
1 Day Bicycle Rental$40
-
The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee$41
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- Lucerne Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.88
- Lucerne Self Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.90
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.24
- Smartphone walking tour - cool Lucerne old town: $6.24
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.42
- Walking Tour - Around the Old Town Lucerne: $6.42
- Lucerne Audio guided walking tour 1h40 and 28 audio reviews: $6.96
- Lucerne Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- The Lives and Legends of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lucerne Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Revealing Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
- Private Lucerne View and Photo Walking Tour: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Lucerne $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- Visit a microbrewery with a tasting: $149
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $312
- Private Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $323
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Akureyri would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Akureyri 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne than you might in Akureyri.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Lucerne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Lucerne?
Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?
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 Lucerne in the Summer?
Both Lucerne and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Akureyri is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Lucerne 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Lucerne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Lucerne. Also, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. Akureyri is much colder than Lucerne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Lucerne 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Lucerne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Lucerne. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Lucerne averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Lucerne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Lucerne in the Spring?
Both Lucerne and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Lucerne 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lucerne and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Lucerne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.