A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hofn vs. Calais for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hofn or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Calais, 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 Calais?

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.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Hofn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, while the average daily cost in Calais is $149. 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 Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $97
    Calais $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $194
    Calais $166
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Calais? 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.

Hotels in Hofn


Hotels in Calais


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 Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $27
    Calais $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hofn $36
    Calais $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $18
    Calais $9.56

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
  • Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
  • Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $291

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $12
    Calais $13


When comparing the travel costs between Hofn and Calais, 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 Calais Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Calais. Additionally, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Calais 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Hofn can be very cold during autumn. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Hofn. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Calais. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Calais 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Hofn during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Hofn can be very cold. Hofn is much colder than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Calais. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Calais. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Hofn

Hofn Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)