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

Should you visit Arusha or Akureyri?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Akureyri can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Akureyri?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

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 The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Arusha?

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 Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is $185. 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 Arusha and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Akureyri $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Akureyri $200
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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 Arusha


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Akureyri $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $288

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $161
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $115
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $31
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $31
  • 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 Arusha or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Arusha 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
    Arusha $40
    Akureyri $69
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Akureyri $18

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Best Arusha City Tour: $15
  • Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets & Hidden Gems: $18
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha City Tour Markets Culture and Maasai Experiences: $22
  • Arusha Town Tour: $30
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
  • Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
  • 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
  • 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: $154
  • 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 Private Tour Godafoss Myvatn Grjotagja Hverir Viti: $253
  • Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169
  • Akureyri Winter Godafoss Tour: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Akureyri $14


When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Akureyri, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Arusha is in Africa and Akureyri is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Akureyri?

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