Which city is cheaper, Reykjavik or Copenhagen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Copenhagen and Reykjavik 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.
Copenhagen is a progressive, friendly, and happy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Copenhagen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For a nice culinary experience, head to Copenhagen, which is well known for it's local dishes and restaurants.
Many restaurants in Copenhagen have been singled out for their culinary prowess. In recent years the celebrity food scene has put this city on the map. There are many Michelin star restaurants around town including the world famous Noma. But there's also a diversity of restaurants to choose from, ranging from elegant, award-winning options to cozy local eateries. Danish food includes a lot of pastries and sandwiches. Make sure you try a rød pølse, or local hot dog from one of the many stands around town.
Reykjavik may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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).
For nightlife, head to Copenhagen instead of Reykjavik.
Copenhagen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene stays active until the early morning hours with many bars and clubs staying open until 5 or 6 in the morning. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include Istedgade and EnghavePlads in Vesterbro, Sankt Hans Torv in Nørrebro and some areas around Frederiksberg.
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.
While Reykjavik and Copenhagen are both popular shopping destinations, overall Copenhagen is considered to be better.
Known for shopping, Copenhagen draws large crowds to its stores. Design and style is notorious with Danish culture. You'll find many great local boutique or fashion design shops in town. Købmagergade is one of the busiest and most famous shopping streets in town, but you should also visit the street parallel to it, Pilestræde.
Many visitors go to Reykjavik to go shopping. 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.
Both Copenhagen and Reykjavik are fun to visit with kids.
Copenhagen is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city almost feels like it was designed with kids in mind. There are countless playgrounds, beaches, and other kid-friendly places to explore. Also make sure you stop by Tivoli Gardens, which has rides and rollercoasters that everyone can enjoy. The city also has an aquarium, zoo, and even a deer park. The Little Mermaid statue may fascinate Disney lovers, and if you want to get out on the water there are boat tours through the canals.
Reykjavik is known to be 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.
Both Copenhagen and Reykjavik are good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Copenhagen is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The city is filled with a positive energy that will rejuvenate any couple. You can hire a bike or hop on a boat to explore town, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets. There are many parks and gardens to explore and culture lovers will appreciate the many museums.
Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.
Copenhagen and Reykjavik are both good destinations for backpackers.
Many backpackers visit Copenhagen. While the city is expensive, there are still plenty of free things to do like simply wandering the neighborhoods. The city has a relaxed and friendly vibe that will almost make you forget all of the money you're spending.
Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.
Both Copenhagen and Reykjavik are popular destinations for students.
Students come from all over to stay in Copenhagen. The city has a reputation as the happiest in the world, and students are no exception. There are plenty of activities for students as well as a relaxed, yet productive, atmosphere. It's easy to explore the town on foot or by bike as well.
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.
Copenhagen generally offers a better public transit system than Reykjavik.
Copenhagen has a great public transit system. There are metros, s-trains, waterbuses, and regular buses available.
You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.
Copenhagen and Reykjavik are similar when it comes to walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Copenhagen. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but there are also plenty of bikes available as well.
Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.
In either Copenhagen or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Copenhagen is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Reykjavik is 1-5 days.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Copenhagen. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.
With shopping and nightlife around the friendly city of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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, one day is sufficent for most.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Copenhagen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.
With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxed city of Copenhagen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Reykjavik, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Copenhagen is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Copenhagen is $174, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $193. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Copenhagen and Reykjavik in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Copenhagen or Reykjavik? 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.
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Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Copenhagen:
Also for Copenhagen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik and Copenhagen 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.
For Copenhagen, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Copenhagen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Copenhagen's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Copenhagen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
When comparing the travel costs between Copenhagen and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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.
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.
Both Reykjavik and Copenhagen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Copenhagen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Copenhagen is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Temperatures in Copenhagen average around 17°C (63°F), and Reykjavik stays around 11°C (52°F).
In July, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Copenhagen gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Reykjavik and Copenhagen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Copenhagen because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. Copenhagen is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The temperature in Copenhagen is usually 10°C (50°F) in October, and Reykjavik stays around 5°C (41°F).
Copenhagen usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Copenhagen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Copenhagen and Reykjavik. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Copenhagen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. It's quite cold in Copenhagen in the winter. In the winter, Copenhagen is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Copenhagen in January are around 1°C (33°F), and Reykjavik is about -0°C (32°F).
In January, Copenhagen usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Copenhagen gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Copenhagen as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Copenhagen for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Copenhagen is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Temperatures in Copenhagen average around 7°C (45°F), and Reykjavik stays around 3°C (38°F).
Copenhagen usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Copenhagen gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Copenhagen | Reykjavik | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 3°C (37°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
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