Which place is cheaper, Potsdam or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Potsdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?
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.
Potsdam
Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Potsdam $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Potsdam is $119. 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 Potsdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Potsdam $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Potsdam $128
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Potsdam
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Potsdam $30
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
- Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174
- Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
- Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Potsdam?
Prices for flights to both Potsdam 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 $35Potsdam $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Potsdam $27
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 Potsdam
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Sanssouci Park Self-Guided Gardens Audio Tour: $5.99
- Baroque Buildings Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tour: $5.99
- Sanssouci Park: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of the Garden's Landmarks: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of City Center: $8.45
- Museum Barberini Entrance Ticket: $11
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cecilienhof Castle Entrance Ticket: $13
- Biosphäre Potsdam Entry Ticket: $16
- In the Forbidden City - Potsdam Walking Tour: $20
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Potsdam $7.18
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 Potsdam, 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 Potsdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Potsdam?
Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?
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 Potsdam in the Summer?
Both Potsdam and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Potsdam averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Potsdam. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Potsdam 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Potsdam in the Autumn?
Both Potsdam and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in October than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Potsdam 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Potsdam in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Potsdam. Also, many travelers come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Potsdam. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. Akureyri is much colder than Potsdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Potsdam -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Potsdam in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Potsdam. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Potsdam averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Potsdam. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Potsdam 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Potsdam and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Potsdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.