Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Akureyri or Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 $138Zurich $268
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $138, while the average daily cost in Zurich 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $89Zurich $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $178Zurich $340
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $20Zurich $36
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Airport Zurich Transfer Mercedes S Class 3pax: $179
- Airport Zurich Transfer Mercedes V-Class 6pax: $168
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $138
- Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich in Luxury Van: $91
- Arrival Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City in Private Car/Van: $95
- Davos: Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $601
- Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $138
- Departure Transfer from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Private Car/Van: $95
- EnglishPrivate One Way Transfer Zurich Airport To Davos: $374
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $78
- From Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $314
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $35Zurich $62
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $16Zurich $36
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 Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $5.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Zurich Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Fun adventure tour of Outdoor Escape Game: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zürich: Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $13Zurich $29
Sample the Local Flavors in Akureyri
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Akureyri:
- Local taste, handcraft & micro brewery tour: $143
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Zurich?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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 Zurich in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Zurich. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Zurich averages at about 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Zurich. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zurich in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Zurich. Additionally, most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Zurich. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zurich in the Winter?
Both Zurich and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Akureyri can be very cold during winter. Akureyri is much colder than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Zurich. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Zurich in the Spring?
Both Zurich and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Zurich averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Zurich. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.