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

Should you visit Hofn or Grindelwald?

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

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

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.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.

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 in Switzerland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Grindelwald, we can see that Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hofn or Grindelwald?

Grindelwald has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Grindelwald, 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 Grindelwald?

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 Grindelwald in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Grindelwald. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Grindelwald. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Grindelwald averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. Hofn usually gets less rain in July than Grindelwald. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hofn or Grindelwald in the Autumn?

Both Grindelwald and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year.

The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Grindelwald fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. It's quite rainy in Hofn. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Grindelwald. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hofn or Grindelwald in the Winter?

Both Grindelwald and Hofn during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Grindelwald for the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Grindelwald. It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. Hofn is much colder than Grindelwald in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Grindelwald. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hofn or Grindelwald in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Grindelwald. Also, many visitors come to Grindelwald in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Grindelwald. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Grindelwald averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hofn usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Grindelwald and Hofn