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

Should you visit Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and Reykjavik can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a energetic, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Frankfurt and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than Reykjavik. Frankfurt is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

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.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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.

Is Frankfurt or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Reykjavik are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

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

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

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

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

One day in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the green destination of Reykjavik. 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.

Five days in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Frankfurt. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

Frankfurt is a popular choice for travelers. 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 choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik?

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 Frankfurt or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Frankfurt is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Frankfurt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for 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 October, Frankfurt is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Frankfurt 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. Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Frankfurt is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Frankfurt is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Frankfurt often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Frankfurt