A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Akureyri vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel is $168. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $89
    Mont-Saint-Michel $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $178
    Mont-Saint-Michel $150
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Mont-Saint-Michel

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel


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 Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $20
    Mont-Saint-Michel $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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
    Mont-Saint-Michel $47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $16
    Mont-Saint-Michel $32

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Geothermal Sea-baths admission ticket: $47
  • Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $71
  • Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $80
  • Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $80
  • Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $83
  • Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík: $86
  • 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour: $89
  • Zipline Tour: $90
  • Waterfall Godafoss Tour: $91
  • Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $92
  • The Viking Horse Riding Experience in North Iceland: $93
  • Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $94

Tours and Activities in Mont-Saint-Michel

Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour around Mont Saint-Michele island: $5.45
  • Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
  • Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
  • Walking Tour in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: $16
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
  • Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
  • Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
  • Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
  • Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Mont-Saint-Michel $8.42

Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:

  • Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143


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


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. Akureyri is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Akureyri

Akureyri Mont-Saint-Michel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)