Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hofn or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Hofn Prices
Iceland PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $207Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $113Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $226Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $31Rotorua $4.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $73Rotorua $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $20Rotorua $34
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 : $214
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Auckland: One-Way Tour to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves: $179
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights Tour with Wai-O-Tapu & Hot Tubs: $202
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Te Puia Tour & Redwoods: $206
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Tour: $223
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights with Te Puia Tour, Show & Lunch: $226
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $162
- From Auckland: Rotorua Private Day Tour with Spa Experience: $579
- From HELL's GATE Geothermal MUD BATH Half Day Tour: $159
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $177
- From WAI-O-TAPU Geothermal Wonderland Half-Day Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $13Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Rotorua, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hofn is in Europe and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn than you might in Rotorua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hofn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hofn or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Rotorua. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hofn is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHofn 9°C (48°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Rotorua. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHofn 4°C (40°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. Hofn is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHofn -0°C (31°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.
Hofn can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHofn 2°C (36°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Hofn
| Hofn | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.