Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Saint John, 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 John?
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 John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $189Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $102Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $204Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Saint John? 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 $23Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $70Saint John $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $77
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
- Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $90
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $100
- Húsavík: Family-Run Whale Watching Tour: $100
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Akureyri or Saint John?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Akureyri is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Saint John. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Akureyri during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Akureyri can be very cold during winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Akureyri usually receives more rain than Saint John. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Akureyri is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.