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

Should you visit Antalya or Akureyri?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Akureyri? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Antalya or Akureyri?

Antalya

Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Antalya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $117, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is $189. 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 Antalya and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antalya $39
    Akureyri $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antalya $78
    Akureyri $204
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Antalya or Akureyri? 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 Antalya


Hotels in Akureyri


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: Antalya Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antalya $78
    Akureyri $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya

Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • ANTALYA:Private Transfer Cappadocia & Antalya City Center: $525
  • Adana Airport Transfer Private and Comfortable: $57
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Mersin Hotels: $124
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Yumurtalik Hotels: $112
  • Airport Private Transfer Services in Antalya Alanya: $47
  • Airport Private Transfer from Antalya to Side/Belek/Kundu: $71
  • Alanya Jeep Safari Tour : Off-Road with Barbecue Lunch & Transfer: $19
  • Alanya Paragliding and City Tour with Round Transfer from Antalya: $142
  • Alanya VIP Transfer: $153
  • Alanya, Side To Land of Legends Theme Park Ticket & Transfer: $81
  • Alanya/Mahmutlar: Private Transfer to/from Antalya Airport: $93
  • Alanya: Off-Road Quad Safari Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Antalya 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
    Antalya $31
    Akureyri $70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya

For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Belek/Antalya/Kemer: Suluada Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $45
  • Pamukkalea and Salda Lake Tour with Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner: $50
  • Kunefe Cooking Class with Local Chef in Old Town: $53
  • Suluada Island Cruise with Dinner and Sunset: $59
  • Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $79
  • Turkish Baklava Cooking Class with a Local Host: $80
  • Turkish Cooking Class with a Local Mom in Central Antalya: $80
  • Turkish Cooking Class with a Local Host: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antalya $32
    Akureyri $18

Tours and Activities in Antalya

For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Antalya Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.12
  • Antalya Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.49
  • TOP Antalya : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.90
  • Antalya/Kemer: Adrasan Suluada Island Boat Tours with Lunch: $8.75
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour on Your Phone: $12
  • Antalya : Guided Old City Tour w/Cable Car&Waterfalls & Boat Trip: $12
  • Antalya /Belek / Lara : Waterfall Boat Tour w/Lunch & Soft Drinks: $12
  • Antalya : Old City Tour w/Olympos Cable Car & Waterfalls & Boat: $12
  • Antalya /Belek : Guided City Tour w/Cable Car & Waterfalls & Boat: $12
  • Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum Admission Ticket: $12
  • Antalya’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Horse, Camel, and Donkey Riding Experience at the Farm in the Antalya Region: $13

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $165
  • Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
  • Akureyri Northern Light Tour: $139
  • Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $293
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Akureyri Port: Hot Godafoss Waterfall Tour & The Forest Lagoon: $157
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $328
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $182
  • Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $246
  • Akureyri Port: Small Group Godafoss and Laufas Turf House Tour: $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antalya $14
    Akureyri $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Antalya.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antalya Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antalya or Akureyri?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Akureyri, 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 Antalya or Akureyri?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Antalya or Akureyri in the Summer?

Both Akureyri and Antalya during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Antalya for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Antalya is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antalya in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Antalya. In the summer, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Antalya gets 376 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun.

Antalya usually gets less rain in July than Akureyri. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Antalya 28°C (83°F) 
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Akureyri in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antalya and Akureyri. Many visitors come to Antalya in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In October, Antalya is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 21°C (69°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Antalya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during autumn. Antalya gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antalya usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Antalya 21°C (69°F) 
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Akureyri in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antalya as well as Akureyri. Most visitors come to Antalya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Antalya is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Antalya often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Antalya gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun.

Antalya receives a lot of rain in the winter. Antalya usually gets more rain in January than Akureyri. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Antalya 11°C (51°F) 
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Antalya or Akureyri in the Spring?

Both Akureyri and Antalya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Antalya because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In the spring, Antalya is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antalya in April average around 16°C (62°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. Antalya usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during spring. Antalya gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antalya usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Antalya 16°C (62°F) 
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Akureyri and Antalya

Antalya Akureyri
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 239 mm (9.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 16°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 20°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 1 mm (0 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 227 mm (8.9 in) -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)