A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Akureyri vs. Utrecht for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Akureyri or Utrecht?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Utrecht, 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 Utrecht?

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.

Utrecht

Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Utrecht or Akureyri?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $145, while the average daily cost in Utrecht is $206. 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 Utrecht in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Akureyri $93
    Utrecht $116
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Akureyri $186
    Utrecht $232
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Utrecht

Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Utrecht? 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.

Hotels in Akureyri


Hotels in Utrecht


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 Utrecht Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Akureyri $21
    Utrecht $25

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
  • Akureyri - Private Airport Transfer: $72
  • From Northern Lights Hunting Tour with Transfer: $110
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $117
  • Private Northern Lights Tour with Transfer & Snack: $557
  • From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,367

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:

  • Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $122
  • Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $104
  • Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Utrecht?

Prices for flights to both Utrecht 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 day
    Akureyri $37
    Utrecht $63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.

  • City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $32
  • Utrecht - Food Tour: Try out 6 dutch bites: $39
  • #1 Food Tour in eat, walk & enjoy with your local guide: $67
  • Guided Food Tour: $70
  • #1 Food Tour in eat, walk, enjoy with a local guide: $71
  • #1 Food Tour by Bike in enjoy with a local guide: $71
  • #1 Food Tour by Bike in eat & enjoy with a local guide: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Akureyri $17
    Utrecht $48

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Húsavík walking tour: $45
  • Geothermal Sea-baths admission ticket: $48
  • Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket: $50
  • Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall: $66
  • From Christmas House Tour: $71
  • Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $72
  • Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour: $79
  • Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated : $81
  • Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $83
  • Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik: $85
  • Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík: $88
  • Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $89

Tours and Activities in Utrecht

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:

  • 2 hours Best Storytelling Walking Tour Utrecht: $3.34
  • Hoge Woerd Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $4.37
  • Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.57
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht's Charming City Centre: $5.99
  • Utrecht Monster Mystery Self-Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $7.23
  • Utrecht in 1 Day - Walking Tour - Audioguide in 7 languages: $7.42
  • De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket: $7.66
  • Discover Utrecht's Highlights: Your Self-Guided GPS Tour: $7.74
  • Utrecht in 1 Day: Walking Tour - Audioguide in 7 languages: $8.20
  • Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
  • Belevingstour Paleis Lofen: De Visser & het Vergeten Paleis: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Akureyri $13
    Utrecht $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:

  • Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $147

Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $32


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Utrecht, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Utrecht?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Utrecht, 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 Utrecht?

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 Utrecht in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Utrecht. Furthermore, most visitors come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Akureyri is cooler than Utrecht in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Utrecht fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Utrecht during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 194 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F) 
    Utrecht 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Utrecht in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Utrecht. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Utrecht. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Utrecht averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 100 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F) 
    Utrecht 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Utrecht in the Winter?

Both Utrecht and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.

It's quite cold in Utrecht in the winter. The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Utrecht. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Utrecht fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Utrecht during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F) 
    Utrecht 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Akureyri or Utrecht in the Spring?

Both Utrecht and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Utrecht for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. Akureyri is much colder than Utrecht in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Utrecht fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 156 hours of full sun.

Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Utrecht. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F) 
    Utrecht 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Utrecht and Akureyri

Akureyri Utrecht
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)