Which place is cheaper, Murren or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Murren?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Murren, 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 Murren?
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.
Murren
Murren (or Muerren) is a fairly expensive destination, as it's a small town in a very popular area for travelers in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. The town sits up on the side of the mountain above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and is mostly car free. Getting here involves a ride on a gondola and cog-rail. The main activities in Murren are skiing in winter and outdoor activities in the summer, all of which tend to be a bit pricey. However, the price is well warranted according to most visitors, as the mountain scenery is top notch, the food is excellent, and the activities are world-class.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Murren $407
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Murren is $407. 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 Murren in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Murren $217
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Murren $434
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Murren
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Murren? 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 Murren Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Murren $50
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 Murren?
Prices for flights to both Murren 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
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Food Meals for one dayAkureyri $35Murren $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.
- Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Murren $59
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 Murren
Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123
- Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
- Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Murren $19
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 Murren, we can see that Murren 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren 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 Murren Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Murren?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Murren, 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.
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.