Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Hofn?
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 Hofn or Alesund?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Alesund, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Hofn or Alesund?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Hofn Prices
Iceland PricesAlesund Prices
Norway Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $207Alesund $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $133. 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 Hofn and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $113Alesund $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $226Alesund $116
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Alesund? 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: Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $31Alesund $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $215
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $163
- Private Transfer from Molde Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $150
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Molde Port: $150
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Molde Cruise Port: $125
- Private Transfer from Molde Cruise Port to Alesund City Hotels: $125
- Private Transfer To OR From Airport in Ålesund: $119
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund hotels-Round Trip Transfer: $105
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund Port: $52
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Alesund Cruise Port: $52
- Alesund to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES)-Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Hofn 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 dayHofn $73Alesund $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $20Alesund $18
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $113
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $46
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $133
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $137
- Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $71
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Boat and Bus from Ålesund: $164
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Bus and Boat from Ålesund: $164
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $186
- Fjord paddle in Hellesylt - Half Day Kayaking Tour: $144
- Fjordcruise Ålesund Geirangerfjord T/R: $215
- Guided Adventure on Fjord Kayaking in Hellesylt, Norway: $124
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $13Alesund $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Alesund, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn than you might in Alesund.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Alesund?
Alesund has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Alesund, 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 Hofn or Alesund?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hofn or Alesund in the Summer?
Both Alesund and Hofn during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Hofn is generally cooler than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Hofn usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Alesund in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Alesund. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hofn can be very cold during autumn. Hofn is much colder than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives less rain than Alesund. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Alesund in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Alesund. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.
It's quite cold in Alesund in the winter. The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Alesund. Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Alesund. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Alesund in the Spring?
Both Alesund and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In April, Hofn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Hofn
| Hofn | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 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.