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

Should you visit Akureyri or Madrid?

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

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

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

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 Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid is $187. 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 Madrid in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Madrid? 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 Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $23
    Madrid $21

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: $117
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

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

  • Adolfo Suárez Madrid- Barajas Airport private transfer, Pick up.: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $90
  • Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $67
  • Arrival Private Transfer from MAD Airport to Madrid in a Minibus: $182
  • Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $101
  • Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Business Car: $88
  • Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Luxury Van: $98
  • Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $50
  • Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City: $34
  • Madrid Private Transfer to/from Barajas Airport & City Hotel: $87
  • Madrid to Madrid Airport (MAD) - Departure Private Transfer: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
    Madrid $68

Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.32
  • Ice Cream
    $3.48
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $18
  • Croissant
    $1.74
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $59
  • Madrid Paella and Churros Cooking Class Ham and Wines Tasting: $70
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $75
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $77
  • Madrid : Paella and Churros cooking class, ham and wines tasting: $77
  • Traditional Cooking Class of Sardines with Dish Auction in Madrid: $81
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $91
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $100
  • Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $105
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $105
  • Madrid Tapas & Paella Cooking Experience with Local Market Visit: $112
  • Madrid Food Tour Tasting the Heart of the City: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $18
    Madrid $38

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 Northern Light Tour: $139
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $3.53
  • Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only): $3.53
  • Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.53
  • Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.53
  • "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $3.54
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.54
  • Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.72
  • Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.12
  • Madrid Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.90
  • Manzanares River’s Story: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Madrid: $5.99
  • Madrid Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Madrid Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Surreal Adventure Game: $7.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $15
    Madrid $23

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.80
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Madrid Pub Crawl: Open Bar, Shots & VIP Entry (Shoko & Fitz): $14
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: Bars, Shots and Club Entry: $20
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $58
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $81
  • Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
  • Old Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour - Real Small Groups 8 Max: $99
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour: Local Bars & Spanish Wine Tasting: $112
  • Eating Not Just Another Tapas and Wine Tour: $114
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour with Rooftop Views and Local Guide: $116
  • Toledo Tour & Vineyard Experience with Wine Tasting from Madrid: $130


When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Madrid, 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 Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Madrid, 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.