Which place is cheaper, Orkney Islands or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Orkney Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Orkney Islands, 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 Orkney Islands?
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.
Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands are located off the north coast of mainland Scotland, offering incredible sights and activities set against the Atlantic Ocean. Having been inhabited for over 5,000 years, Orkney is an archaeologist's dream as ancient relics are discovered all the time, meaning there are endless places for tourists to explore. The best time to visit Orkney is from May-October, when temperatures tend to stay between 50-65° Fahrenheit and rainfall is at it's lowest. Although, with their location on the sea, rain and heavy winds are very common, so be sure to always have waterproof clothing and shoes around!
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Orkney Islands $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Orkney Islands is $160. 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 Orkney Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Orkney Islands $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Orkney Islands $150
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Orkney Islands
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Orkney Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Orkney Islands $69
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Orkney Islands?
Prices for flights to both Orkney Islands 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 $35Orkney Islands $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Orkney Islands $33
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 Orkney Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orkney Islands.
- Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall : $246
- From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour: $275
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Orkney Islands $8.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143
When comparing the travel costs between Akureyri and Orkney Islands, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Akureyri or Orkney Islands?
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 Orkney Islands in the Summer?
Both Orkney Islands and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Akureyri is generally cooler than Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 11°C (52°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the summer, Akureyri often gets more sunshine than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Orkney Islands receives 129 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Orkney Islands 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Orkney Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Orkney Islands. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Orkney Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 3°C (38°F) in October, and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Orkney Islands during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Orkney Islands receives 73 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Orkney Islands 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Orkney Islands in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Orkney Islands. Also, many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In the winter, Akureyri is much colder than Orkney Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Akureyri in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Orkney Islands receives 29 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Orkney Islands 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Orkney Islands in the Spring?
Both Orkney Islands and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In April, Akureyri is generally much colder than Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 2°C (36°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Orkney Islands during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Orkney Islands receives 135 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Orkney Islands 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Orkney Islands and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Orkney Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 113 mm (4.4 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.