Which place is cheaper, Zermatt or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Zermatt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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.
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $142Zermatt $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $142, while the average daily cost in Zermatt is $242. 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 Zermatt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $92Zermatt $136
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $184Zermatt $272
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Zermatt
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Zermatt? 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 Zermatt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $21Zermatt $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $28
- Private Transfer to/from Akureyri Airport: $33
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $119
- Private Northern Lights Tour with Transfer & Snack: $564
- From Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer: $1,384
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- 3-Hour Private Transfer from Zermatt and Saa to Geneva Airport: $243
- Basel to Zermatt One-Way Private Transfer: $774
- Bern to Zermatt one way Private Transfer: $609
- Breuil-Cervinia to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP-Departure Transfer: $122
- Cervinia, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $132
- Como to Zermatt One-Way Private Transfer: $774
- Geneva to Zermatt one way Private VIP Transfer: $609
- Lausanne to Zermatt One-Way Private Transfer: $663
- Lucerne to Zermatt One Way Private Transfer: $774
- Lyon to Zermatt One-Way Private Transfer: $885
- Milan to Zermatt one way Private Transfer: $587
- Nice to Zermatt One-Way Private Transfer: $996
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Zermatt?
Prices for flights to both Zermatt 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 $36Zermatt $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Zermatt $61
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: $49
- Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket: $51
- Akureyri Hop on Hop off tour: $59
- Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall: $67
- Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $73
- Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour: $79
- Family Friendly Horse Riding Tour in Skagafjörður: $79
- Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated : $82
- Guided Whale Watching Tour from the City Center: $83
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $83
- Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík: $89
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Sion Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.44
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car Ticket: $112
- Fondue under the stars experience in Zermatt: $119
- Alpine Village Tour 2 hours: $135
- Mount Gornergrat Spectacular Summit Train Ticket: $208
- Mount Gornergrat: Zermatt's Spectacular Summit Ticket: $216
- Romance and Charms of Zermatt – Walking Tour: $228
- Mystic Zermatt Tour: Peaks, History & Culture: $229
- Private Village Tour in Zermatt’s Alpine: $251
- Winter culinary hiking tour by Horugüet: $293
- Tandem Paragliding Tour: $400
- Mystic Zermatt Tour: Peaks, History & Culture: $450
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Zermatt $31
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $148
Sample the Local Flavors in Zermatt
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
- Activity in private minibus, wine tasting in Valais: $83
- Wine Tasting in Valais: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Zermatt, we can see that Zermatt 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Zermatt?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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 Zermatt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Zermatt. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Akureyri is much colder than Zermatt in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Zermatt fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zermatt this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Zermatt 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zermatt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Zermatt. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Zermatt averages at about 15°C (58°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Zermatt. Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Zermatt 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zermatt in the Winter?
Both Zermatt and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zermatt for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zermatt. It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Zermatt 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zermatt in the Spring?
Both Zermatt and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Zermatt in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Zermatt in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Zermatt fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun.
Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Zermatt. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Zermatt 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zermatt and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Zermatt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.