Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Athens or Akureyri?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Akureyri. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Akureyri?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Akureyri €162
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is €162. 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 Athens and Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Akureyri €88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Akureyri €176
Compare Hotels in Athens and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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.
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: Athens Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Akureyri €20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- AIRPORT TRANSFER to/from hotel (up 14 in a luxurious Minibus ): $33
- ATHENS HOTEL transfer to/from Piraeus Cruise Port (up to 14 pax): $259
- Aegean Wonders Santorini Transfers: $32
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Business Car: $93
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $144
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Van: $129
- Alimos Glyfada Vouliagmeni to Athens Airport Private Transfer: $40
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by Minibus: $146
- Arrival Transfer from Αthens Airport to Piraeus Port: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Athens Airport to Athens City: $77
- Arrival Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Business Car: $105
- Athens Airport (ATH) to Athens - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $78
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 Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Akureyri €60
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Athens Food Tour (5+ Stops) - Full Meal Included by Do Eat Better: $65
- Classic Athens Food Tour with Local Drink & Market Visit: $70
- Acropolis Food Tour with a Local Friend: $77
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $77
- Athens Traditional Food Tour: $80
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $80
- Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $83
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $83
- Quick Greek Street Food Cooking Class in Athens: $88
- Greek Cooking Class near Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Akureyri €16
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.88
- Ancient Athens Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.90
- Athens Interactive City Tour: $8.25
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $9.01
- Athens Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.42
- Acropolis of Athens Self-Guided Tour with 3D & Audio (No Ticket): $9.42
- Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $9.42
- Self-Guided Greece Grand Tour with Audio Guide: $9.43
- Traditional Greek Food: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Athens: $9.99
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11
- Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth Tour: $12
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Akureyri €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $12
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $13
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $22
- Athens Olive Oil and Herbs Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $24
- Thursday & Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $28
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience: $47
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $58
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $58
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $59
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Akureyri?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens 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 Athens or Akureyri in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Akureyri. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Athens is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Akureyri. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Akureyri 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Athens or Akureyri in the Autumn?
Both Akureyri and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In October, Athens is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Akureyri 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Athens or Akureyri in the Winter?
Both Akureyri and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the winter. Athens is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in January than Akureyri. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Akureyri -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Athens or Akureyri in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Akureyri. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Akureyri 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Akureyri and Athens
| Athens | Akureyri | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.