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

Should you visit Hofn or Isle of Skye?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?

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.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a series of islands lying off the west coast of Scotland, best known for their dazzling natural wonders. From the natural pools at the Fairy Glen to hiking Jurassic Period mountains, you'll never run out of beautiful sights to see. Spend your days wandering through the scenery that has been featured in various films and has inspired poets and artists throughout centuries. The best time to visit Skye is from May-August when temperatures are at their highest, in the 60's Fahrenheit, and rainfall is at its lowest.

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 United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye is $142. 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 Isle of Skye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $97
    Isle of Skye $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $194
    Isle of Skye $128
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Isle of Skye

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Isle of Skye? 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 Isle of Skye


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $27
    Isle of Skye $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isle of Skye

Also for Isle of Skye, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Isle of Skye to Inverness Direct transfer: $623

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Isle of Skye?

Prices for flights to both Isle of Skye 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
    Isle of Skye $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $18
    Isle of Skye $23

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

Tours and Activities in Isle of Skye

For Isle of Skye, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree: $228
  • Tour the highlights and hidden beauties.: $812

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $12
    Isle of Skye $9.61


When comparing the travel costs between Hofn and Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Isle of Skye?

Isle of Skye has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?

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 Isle of Skye in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Isle of Skye. Furthermore, many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hofn is generally cooler than Isle of Skye. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In July, Hofn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Isle of Skye. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Isle of Skye 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Isle of Skye in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Isle of Skye. Additionally, most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Hofn can get quite cold in the autumn. Hofn is much colder than Isle of Skye in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Isle of Skye 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Isle of Skye in the Winter?

Both Isle of Skye and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the cuisine.

The weather in Isle of Skye can be very cold. Hofn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Isle of Skye. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Isle of Skye averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Isle of Skye. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Hofn or Isle of Skye in the Spring?

Both Isle of Skye and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year.

The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Isle of Skye. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Isle of Skye. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Isle of Skye 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Isle of Skye and Hofn

Hofn Isle of Skye
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 4°C (40°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 13°C (55°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 9°C (49°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 6°C (43°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)