Which place is cheaper, Saint Andrews or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Akureyri or Saint Andrews?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews?
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.
Saint Andrews
Saint Andrews is a small town on the east coast of Scotland, facing the North Sea. It is best known as the home of golf and host to the oldest university in Scotland, University of Saint Andrews.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $138Saint Andrews $268
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Saint Andrews is $268. 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 Saint Andrews in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Saint Andrews $145
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Saint Andrews $290
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Saint Andrews
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Saint Andrews? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Saint Andrews $65
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 Saint Andrews?
Prices for flights to both Saint Andrews 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 dayAkureyri $35Saint Andrews $77
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Saint Andrews $57
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 Saint Andrews
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Andrews are as follows:
- Rebels, Romance & Raisins St. Andrew's Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour (11am & 2pm): $18
- St Andrews Golf Oriented Heritage Tours - Town and Old Course: $19
- St Andrews History Tours: $19
- St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer: $19
- St Andrews Walking Tours: $19
- St Andrews Ghost Tours: $20
- The Original St Andrews Photo Shoot Tour: $82
- Private St Andrews Dark Side Tour: $145
- Private St. Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Walking Tour: $146
- Private St. Andrews Tour with Dedicated Local Guide: $146
- Private St Andrews Town Tour for Future Students: $146
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Saint Andrews $33
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 Saint Andrews, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Saint Andrews?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews?
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 Saint Andrews in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Saint Andrews. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.
In the summer, Akureyri is cooler than Saint Andrews. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Saint Andrews during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Saint Andrews 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Saint Andrews. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 100 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Saint Andrews 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Andrews in the Winter?
Both Saint Andrews and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Andrews can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Saint Andrews in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Saint Andrews during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Saint Andrews 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Andrews in the Spring?
Both Saint Andrews and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Saint Andrews. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 155 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Saint Andrews. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Saint Andrews 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Saint Andrews | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 59 mm (2.3 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.