Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hofn or Edinburgh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?
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.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $151Edinburgh $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $177. 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 Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $97Edinburgh $92
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $194Edinburgh $184
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Edinburgh
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Edinburgh? 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 Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $27Edinburgh $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
-
Local Bus$4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $781
- From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $750
- Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $279
- Executive transfer from Edinburgh to St Andrews. : $266
- Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $256
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $255
- Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $253
- Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $250
- Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $241
- Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $241
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $231
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Edinburgh?
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh 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 dayHofn $36Edinburgh $49
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$11
-
Dinner at Filling Station$12
-
Lunch for Two$19
-
Sandwich$2.30
-
Cheese & bread$9.01
-
Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$31
-
2 Coffees and Scones$7.23
-
Turkish Delight$1.74
-
Soup at the Pub$7.35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $87
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $120
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $167
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $18Edinburgh $25
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
- 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: $291
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Show Tickets$40
-
Movie Tickets for Two$15
-
Donation for Storytellers$7.47
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $152
- Walking Tour to Edinburgh Castle and Holyood palace: $25
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2 Hour Holyrood Palace Private Walking Tour: $76
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $260
- 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $227
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $182
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $233
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $274
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $71
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $12Edinburgh $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
-
Beer & Wine$18
-
Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Hofn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hofn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hofn 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Hofn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?
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 Edinburgh in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Edinburgh. Furthermore, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Edinburgh 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Edinburgh. Additionally, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Edinburgh 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Winter?
Both Edinburgh and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Edinburgh 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Spring?
Both Edinburgh and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Hofn can be very cold during spring. Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Edinburgh 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Hofn
| Hofn | Edinburgh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.