Which place is cheaper, Cairngorms National Park or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hofn or Cairngorms National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Cairngorms National Park, 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 Cairngorms National Park?
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.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is an over 1,700 square mile park in the center of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the country. Voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the park features everything from castles to wildlife tours to white water rafting. There is really no bad time to visit the park, as you will always have something to see and do here! In the winter, from late November-March, you can ski the slopes and go on snow treks. Summer, from May-September, is fantastic for walking, hiking, and canoeing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $151Cairngorms National Park $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, while the average daily cost in Cairngorms National Park is $148. 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 Cairngorms National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $97Cairngorms National Park $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $194Cairngorms National Park $138
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Cairngorms National Park
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Cairngorms National Park? 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 and Cairngorms National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $27Cairngorms National Park $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Cairngorms National Park?
Prices for flights to both Cairngorms National Park 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 $36Cairngorms National Park $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $18Cairngorms National Park $33
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $282
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
- Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
- Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $289
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
Tours and Activities in Cairngorms National Park
For Cairngorms National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cairn Gorm Mountain Adventure Private Hike: $168
- Private Guided Mountain Walking Experience in the Cairngorms: $177
- Private Guided Ridge Scrambling Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Rock Climbing Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Winter Mountain Walking Experience in the Cairngorms: $202
- Private Guided Winter Mountaineering Experience in the Cairngorms: $222
- Private Walking Tour to Ben Macdui Scotland: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $12Cairngorms National Park $10
When comparing the travel costs between Hofn and Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Hofn 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Cairngorms National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hofn or Cairngorms National Park?
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 Hofn or Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Cairngorms National Park. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Cairngorms National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Cairngorms National Park 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Cairngorms National Park. Additionally, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Cairngorms National Park. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Cairngorms National Park 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?
Both Cairngorms National Park and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cairngorms National Park. It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. Hofn is much colder than Cairngorms National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Cairngorms National Park 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?
Both Cairngorms National Park and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Cairngorms National Park. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Cairngorms National Park 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Hofn
| Hofn | Cairngorms National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 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.