Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hofn or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $159Reykjavik $254
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $159, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $254. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $102Reykjavik $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $204Reykjavik $288
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Reykjavik? 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.
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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $28Reykjavik $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reykjavík: South Coast Guided Day Trip by Jeep with Transfer: $1,811
- Private 7-hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,498
- Private 6-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,316
- Private 5-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,136
- Private 4-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $917
- Private 3-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $734
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $628
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $486
- From Skarfabakki: Blue Lagoon Round-Trip Transfer: $438
- From Blue Lagoon Round-Trip Transfer: $438
- Reykjavik Iceland: Private Transfer to/From Keflavik Airport: $300
- From ATV Ride and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfer: $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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
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Food Meals for one dayHofn $38Reykjavik $31
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$184
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BiteSizedIceland.com: $123
- Reykjavik Food Tour in the Old Harbor - BiteSizedIceland.com: $127
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $131
- Icelandic Food Tour: $131
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $131
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $134
- Guided Pub Crawl with Dinner and Drinks: $200
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $18Reykjavik $74
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $201
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $291
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $190
- Half-Day Small-Group Jokulsarlon Ice Cave Guided Tour: $170
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$11
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Wine and Spa$30
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour: $63
- WWII History Tour with a 1940's British Officer in Reykjavik: $185
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $149
- 1+ hour Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík/Mosfellsbær: $135
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $447
- 1-Hour Small Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: $134
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr ATV Adventure & Caving from Reykjavik: $260
- 1hr ATV Adventure & Whale Watching Combination Tour from Reykjavik: $282
- 1hr Buggy Adventure & Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: $279
- 1hr Buggy Adventure & Whale Watching from Reykjavik: $289
- 2-Day South Coast, Blue Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon Tour: $514
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $12Reykjavik $29
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$9.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Reykjavik. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
In July, Hofn is generally cooler than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Reykjavik. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. Hofn is cooler than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavik. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Reykjavik in the Spring?
Both Reykjavik and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Hofn
| Hofn | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.