Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Cesis?
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 Cesis 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 Cesis 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: Cesis or Akureyri?
Cesis
Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Cesis Prices
Latvia PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCesis €138Akureyri €162
The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €138, 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 Cesis and Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCesis €47Akureyri €88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCesis €94Akureyri €176
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Cesis 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cesis €30Akureyri €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Cesis 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 dayCesis €71Akureyri €60
Typical Food Prices in Cesis
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:
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Lunch in town for two€6.67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cesis €16Akureyri €16
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $77
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
- Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $90
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $100
- Húsavík: Family-Run Whale Watching Tour: $100
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCesis €17Akureyri €12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis 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 Cesis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cesis or Akureyri?
Cesis has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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 Cesis or Akureyri?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Cesis or Akureyri in the Summer?
Both Akureyri and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Cesis is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In July, Cesis usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCesis 17°C (63°F)Akureyri 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Akureyri in the Autumn?
Both Akureyri and Cesis during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. Cesis is much warmer than Akureyri in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Cesis usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Akureyri. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCesis 7°C (45°F)Akureyri 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Akureyri in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Akureyri. The cuisine are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. It's quite cold in Cesis in the winter. In the winter, Cesis is much colder than Akureyri. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Akureyri averages at about -2°C (28°F).
In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCesis -5°C (23°F)Akureyri -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Akureyri in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Akureyri. Many travelers come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Cesis is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Cesis usually gets more rain in April than Akureyri. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCesis 5°C (42°F)Akureyri 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Akureyri and Cesis
| Cesis | Akureyri | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.