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

Should you visit Hofn or Kiel?

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

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

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

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 Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel 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 Kiel 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $97
    Kiel $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $194
    Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Kiel? 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 Kiel


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 Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $27
    Kiel $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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
    Kiel $41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $18
    Kiel $20

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

Tours and Activities in Kiel

Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

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


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


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

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

Hofn is much colder than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Hofn usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Kiel 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Kiel in the Autumn?

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

Hofn can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It's quite rainy in Hofn. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Kiel. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Kiel in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Kiel in the Spring?

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

It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. Hofn is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Kiel. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Hofn

Hofn Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)