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

Should you visit Christchurch or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Reykjavik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Christchurch and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Christchurch than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Christchurch is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Christchurch and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also well known for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Christchurch different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Christchurch 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 Christchurch can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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 Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

Christchurch has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Christchurch. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for its hiking experiences. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Many visitors go to Christchurch for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

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 Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Christchurch is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Reykjavik make for a very good place to visit.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

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.

Is Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Christchurch is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Reykjavik is a good 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 Christchurch or Reykjavik Better for Students?

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

Christchurch is a great city to visit as a student. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Christchurch and Reykjavik.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

While Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Christchurch or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Reykjavik both are very good when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

In either Christchurch or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Christchurch because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Christchurch. 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.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this clean city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Christchurch. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the hiking. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Christchurch. 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.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this clean destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the hiking. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Christchurch 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 popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Reykjavik?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the summer, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavikin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Christchurch is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F)in October.

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Reykjavikin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Christchurch or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Christchurch during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the winter, Christchurch is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F)in January.

In the winter, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavikin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Reykjavik. The spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In October, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Reykjavikin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Christchurch