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

Should you visit Akureyri or Manchester?

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

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

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.

Manchester

Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.

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 from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Manchester or Akureyri?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Manchester is $229. 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 Manchester in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $89
    Manchester $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $178
    Manchester $176
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Manchester

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Manchester? 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 Manchester


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 Manchester Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $20
    Manchester $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,336
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $114
  • Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $32
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester

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


  • Rail to Airport
    $14
  • Parking in Manchester
    $3.74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer: Manchester Airport MAN to Liverpool in Business Car: $121
  • Manchester Airport (MAN) to Manchester - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
  • Manchester Airport (MAN): Private Transfer to Liverpool City: $249
  • Manchester Airport (MAN): Private Transfer to Manchester: $155
  • Manchester Airport(MAN) to Liverpool- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
  • Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from London: $8.12
  • Manchester Private Transfer from Manchester Airport to City centre: $75
  • 1-Wsy Airport Bus Transfer to/from Leeds: $6.86
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Manchester Airport: $99
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer From Manchester Airport to Old Trafford Stadium: $279
  • Private Transfer Manchester Airport to Lake District Ski Club: $87
  • Private Transfer from Astley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Manchester?

Prices for flights to both Manchester 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 $35
    Manchester $69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Hard Rock Cafe Manchester with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $35
  • Private Italian Dinner with a Romantic Night Experience: $63
  • 2 Hours Sicilian Wine Tasting and Dinner at Manchester: $76
  • Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $87
  • Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $89
  • 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
  • Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $16
    Manchester $38

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Akureyri Private Tour with Myvatn Nature Baths by Luxury VAN: $1,957
  • 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
  • Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Tour: $122
  • Hunt for the Northern Lights Photography Tour: $124
  • Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Landscapes Tour: $155
  • Mývatn Nature Baths and Goðafoss Waterfall Tour: $210
  • Northern Lights Photography Tour: $141
  • Northern Lights Tour: $107
  • Northern Lights Tour in North Iceland: $120
  • Siglufjörður Four Tunnel Private Day Tour: $748
  • Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
  • Zipline Tour: $90

Tours and Activities in Manchester

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

  • Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
  • Manchester City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
  • Manchester’s Rebirth and Renewal: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • England's First Industrial City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $11
  • Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
  • Salford Quays Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Canal & River Cruise: $15
  • City River Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Manchester $12

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 Manchester

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:

  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
  • Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $101


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Akureyri is cooler than Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Manchester. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Manchester. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Manchester 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Manchester. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Manchester. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Manchester averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Manchester. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Manchester 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Manchester. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Manchester. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Manchester 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Manchester. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Manchester and Akureyri

Akureyri Manchester
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (62°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)