A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Brisbane or Reykjavik?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Reykjavik can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Brisbane and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brisbane than Reykjavik. Brisbane is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brisbane is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre.

How is Brisbane different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Brisbane. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Brisbane or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Brisbane. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Brisbane. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Reykjavik.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Reykjavik is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Brisbane is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Reykjavik is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brisbane and Reykjavik both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Brisbane or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Reykjavik are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Brisbane Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

In either Brisbane or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Brisbane because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Brisbane than Reykjavik. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brisbane, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Brisbane than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Brisbane that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Reykjavik if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Brisbane.

One day in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the diverse destination of Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Brisbane. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Brisbane is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Brisbane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane is in Pacific and Reykjavik is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Brisbane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Reykjavik, 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 Brisbane or Reykjavik?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Reykjavik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Reykjavik. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brisbane is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Reykjavikin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In April, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavikin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Brisbane is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Reykjavikin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Brisbane is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavikin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Brisbane