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

Should you visit Hofn or Orkney Islands?

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

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

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.

Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are located off the north coast of mainland Scotland, offering incredible sights and activities set against the Atlantic Ocean. Having been inhabited for over 5,000 years, Orkney is an archaeologist's dream as ancient relics are discovered all the time, meaning there are endless places for tourists to explore. The best time to visit Orkney is from May-October, when temperatures tend to stay between 50-65° Fahrenheit and rainfall is at it's lowest. Although, with their location on the sea, rain and heavy winds are very common, so be sure to always have waterproof clothing and shoes around!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Hofn and Orkney Islands, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hofn or Orkney Islands?

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 Orkney Islands in the Summer?

Both Orkney Islands and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hofn is cooler than Orkney Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Orkney Islands. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hofn or Orkney Islands in the Autumn?

Both Orkney Islands and Hofn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year.

The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Orkney Islands. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hofn or Orkney Islands in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Orkney Islands. Also, many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. Hofn is much colder than Orkney Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Orkney Islands. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hofn or Orkney Islands in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Orkney Islands. Also, many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Orkney Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Orkney Islands. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Orkney Islands and Hofn