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

Should you visit Hofn or Lyon?

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

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

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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

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 from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon 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 Lyon is $134. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $97
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $194
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Lyon? 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 Lyon


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $27
    Lyon $18

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:


  • Funiculaire
    $5.57
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Superior Private Transfer From Lyon City to Geneva City: $295
  • Private Direct Transfer from Lyon to Geneva: $274
  • Private Transfer Grenoble Airport GNB - Grenoble Ski Resort: $229
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport to Morzine Avoriaz Round Trip Transfer: $185
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport to Meribel - Arrival Private Transfer: $180
  • Lyon St Exupery Airport to Courchevel/Les Arcs - Arrival Transfer: $180
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up): $177
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport(LYS) to Alpe d'Huez - Arrival Transfer: $164
  • Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon Airport (LYS) to City centre: $131
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon city centre to Lyon (LYS) Airport: $131
  • Private Transfer: (LYS) Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon: $124

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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
    Lyon $44

Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.

  • Street Food Tour: $64
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $96
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
  • Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $18
    Lyon $22

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $48

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $27
  • 1-hour tourist walk with guide: $38
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
  • Alternative Tour: Murals and Hidden Frescoes of Lyon: $46
  • An unusual city tour with sketches: $64
  • Audio-Guided Tour of the United States Quarter and Painted Walls: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of Old Lyon: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of the Fourvière and the Sacred Hill: $11
  • Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $136
  • Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $268
  • Best Intro Tour of Lyon with a Local: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $12
    Lyon $25

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.29
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108


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


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Hofn during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Hofn is much colder than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in July than Lyon. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Lyon. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Lyon. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Lyon. Additionally, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. Hofn is much colder than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Lyon. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Hofn

Hofn Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)