Should you visit Berlin or Reykjavik?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or Reykjavik, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
Which city is cheaper, Reykjavik or Berlin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Berlin is €102, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €186. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Berlin and Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Berlin can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €46, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €92.
The prices for places to stay in Reykjavik can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €106, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €212.
Food
In Berlin travelers spend around €40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Reykjavik cost around €23 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €9.20.
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Food
Meals for one day
Berlin €40
Reykjavik €23
Typical Food prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte:
$16
-
English Comedy Showcase Including Pizza in Berlin Mitte:
$25
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Berlin:
$40
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Dinner Cruise – “This is the CHEF talking”:
$49
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Berlin Kreuzberg - Food Tour:
$53
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Berlin Mitte - Food Tour:
$53
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Berlin Food Tour:
$55
-
Withlocals 10 Tastings: Covid-19 Regulated Private Food Tour:
$57
-
History Bites: The Berlin History and Food Tour:
$61
-
Berlin Dinner Cruise.:
$61
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Fun Dinner and Dancing by Gaiety in Berlin:
$84
-
Vegan Food Tour Experience in Berlin:
$87
Typical Food prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)
€168
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Exclusive dinner with a local family:
$112
-
Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market:
$123
-
Dinner with an Icelandic Artist in Reykjavik Home:
$151
-
Secret Lagoon, Buffet Dinner, and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik:
$159
-
South Coast: Volcanoes, waterfalls & Viking dinner at the Viking house:
$179
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Private Reykjavik Food Tour:
$198
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South Coast: Small group glacier hike, fire & ice with dinner at Viking lodge:
$199
-
Cook and Dine Icelandic Cooking Class Gourmet Lunch or Dinner:
$204
-
Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik:
$229
-
West Iceland Private Food Tour from Reykjavik:
$723
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Berlin than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €13 on transportation in Berlin on average per day.
To get around in Reykjavik, the average visitor spends €35 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
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Short Trip Metro Ticket
€1.40
-
Bahn Ticket
€3.00
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Short Taxi Ride
€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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VIP transfer from Berlin to Warsaw - Mercedes E-Class with private driver:
$703
-
VIP transfer from Berlin to Munich - Mercedes E-Class with private driver:
$1,359
-
Transfer from Berlin to Munich: Private sightseeing daytrip with 2 stops:
$355
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Transfer from Berlin Tegel Airport to Berlin city (any hotel or address):
$32
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Transfer from Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) to Berlin city Hotels - ROUND TRIP:
$63
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Transfer from Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) to Berlin city Hotels - ROUND TRIP:
$83
-
Transfer by Private Vehicle from Hotel in Berlin to Schoenefeld Airport:
$125
-
Transfer Berlin-Prague or Prague-Berlin, with optional 2 hours visit to Dresden:
$740
-
Round Trip Tegel Airport (TXL) Transfer to Berlin City Center:
$48
-
Round Trip Schönefeld Airport (SXF) Transfer to Berlin City Center:
$71
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Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with stops at Potsdam + Sanssouci Palace:
$266
-
Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with Terezin Concentration Camp stop:
$266
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Luxurious Private Airport Transfer and Blue Lagoon | Included Premium Admission:
$1,354
-
Private airport transfer with Blue lagoon stopover and lunar landscapes:
$804
-
Luxury Private Transfers Reykjavik - Blue Lagoon - Keflavik Airport:
$683
-
Private Blue Lagoon & Airport Transfer:
$646
-
Luxury Private Transfers Keflavik Airport - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik:
$641
-
Private Transfer Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik city (with waiting time):
$560
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Airport transfer to or from Reykjavik with up to 3 hours stop in Blue Lagoon:
$485
-
Golden Circle Private Tour & Blue Lagoon Private Transfer:
$438
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Private Reykjavík Round Trip Airport Transfer:
$429
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Private One-Way Airport Transfer To or From Keflavik Airport:
$352
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Luxury Private Transfers Reykjavik to Keflavik airport:
$343
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PrivateTransfer to Reykjavik KEF in Lux Van with 2 hour stop at Blue Lagoon:
$314
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Berlin, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €12 per day, per person.
In Reykjavik, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €55 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
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1-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin:
$47
-
2 Hour Berlin Small Group Segway Tour:
$65
-
2 Hours Private Custom Berlin Tour With A Local Guide:
$70
-
2 hour 15 min Berlin Wall Self Drive Trabant Tour:
$106
-
2-Hour Island Landscapes Boattour from Berlin:
$20
-
2-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin:
$66
-
2.5-Hour Berlin Center Boat Cruise on the River Spree:
$31
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2.5-Hour Berlin City Tour of Famous Attractions by Minibus:
$51
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2.5-Hour Berlin Wall and Memorial Sites Walking Tour:
$23
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2h Berlin Discovery Tour in an Vintage Volkswagen Beetle:
$81
-
3 Hours Segway Discovery Tour Berlin:
$93
-
3 hours Berlin 100% Personalized City Tour:
$58
Typical Entertainment prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum
€10
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Wine and Spa
€28
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Tour From Reykjavik:
$126
-
(Private tour) 4 Days South Coast, Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes:
$3,388
-
1.5 Hour Midnight Sun Buggy Tour From Reykjavik:
$160
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10-day Private tour of Iceland: Geysers & Glaciers:
$13,561
-
1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik:
$276
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Caving from Reykjavik:
$254
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Helicopter Adventure Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$403
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Rafting Tour from Reykjavik:
$287
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Whale Watching Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$248
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1hr ATV Reykjavik Peak Adventure:
$143
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1hr ATV adventure & Northern lights Hunt from Reykjavik:
$238
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1hr Buggy & Lava Caving Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$283
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Berlin, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €10.
Typically, people visiting Reykjavik spend on average €21 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Berlin Pub Crawl And Night Life Tour:
$15
-
#1 Berlin Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Sean's Wine Tasting Events:
$66
-
Welcome to Berlin tour! Sightseeing, souvenirs and visit of a German brewery:
$236
Typical Alcohol prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
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Private Reykjavik Pub Crawl:
$181
-
Reykjavik Food & Wine Tour:
$249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berlin and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Berlin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berlin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berlin 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Berlin.
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