Should you visit Lisbon or Reykjavik?
Should I visit Lisbon or Reykjavik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Reykjavik or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €105, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €201. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €94 in Lisbon For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Reykjavik can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €114, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €228.
Local Transportation
Lisbon's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €19 per person, per day on transportation in Lisbon.
To get around in Reykjavik, the average visitor spends €37 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Óbidos Nazaré Alcobaça Batalha Fatima Private Transfer From Lisbon to Coimbra:
$280
-
Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima Nazaré Alcobaça Óbidos Tomar Leiria:
$203
-
Transfers from and to Lisbon-Algarve (Center Cities):
$625
-
Transfer/Transport:
$45
-
Transfer to Povoa do Varzim:
$591
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lisbon City to Airport:
$18
-
Transfer in Private Minivan from Lisbon City to Airport:
$22
-
Transfer in Lisbon:
$50
-
Transfer from Sintra-Cascais to Lisbon Airport:
$84
-
Transfer from Lisbon to Óbidos (And Vice Versa):
$245
-
Transfer from Lisbon to Évora (And Vice Versa):
$228
-
Transfer from Lisbon to Vilamoura or Quarteira:
$398
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Ultra - Reykjavik Private Airport Transfer from Cruise Port to Keflavík Airport:
$8.71
-
Ultra - Reykjavik Private Airport Transfer from City Hotels to Keflavík Airport:
$218
-
Transfer to & from Blue Lagoon:
$78
-
SuperSaver: Northern Lights by mini-bus & Blue Lagoon transfer:
$149
-
Secret Lagoon with transfer:
$80
-
Roundtrip Transfer from Reykjavik/Keflavik to Blue Lagoon with Entrance Fee:
$187
-
Round Trip Keflavik Airport (KEF) Transfer to Reykjavik City Center:
$175
-
Reykjavík Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$236
-
Shuttle Bus Transfer to/from Keflavik Airport:
$26
-
Private Transfer to/from KEF Intl. Airport (KEF):
$204
-
Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$111
-
Reykjavik area to Keflavik Private Luxury Airport Transfer:
$140
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik and Lisbon 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
In Lisbon travelers spend around €34 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Reykjavik cost around €25 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €10.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Lisbon €34
Reykjavik €25
Typical Food prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Portuguese Cooking Lesson:
$31
-
Live Online Cooking Class from Pastel de Nata with Filipa:
$39
-
Bohemian dinner party on a beautiful rooftop near the coast:
$42
-
2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class:
$51
-
The magic of Pasteis de Nata cooking class in Lisbon:
$53
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Lisbon:
$54
-
Withlocals Your Way: Lisbon Personalised Private Food Tour:
$56
-
Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Local Baker:
$57
-
Private Groups: Pastel de Nata cooking class and tasting in Lisbon's pastry shop:
$57
-
Authentic Portuguese dinner with a local chef:
$58
-
Lisbon Food Tour:
$62
-
Lisbon Old Town Food Tour by Sitway:
$63
Typical Food prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner (Fish Market)
€181
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Exclusive dinner with a local family:
$112
-
Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market:
$123
-
Dinner with an Icelandic Artist in Reykjavik Home:
$151
-
Secret Lagoon, Buffet Dinner, and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik:
$159
-
South Coast: Volcanoes, waterfalls & Viking dinner at the Viking house:
$179
-
Private Reykjavik Food Tour:
$198
-
South Coast: Small group glacier hike, fire & ice with dinner at Viking lodge:
$199
-
Cook and Dine Icelandic Cooking Class Gourmet Lunch or Dinner:
$204
-
Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik:
$229
-
West Iceland Private Food Tour from Reykjavik:
$723
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lisbon can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €19 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Reykjavik, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €59 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Évora and Arraiolos - 8 Hour Private Tour:
$183
-
Évora and Megaliths Full-Day Tour from Lisbon:
$82
-
10 Days Private Tour in Portugal from Lisbon:
$2,476
-
10 Hour Private Tour: Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Highlights:
$213
-
2 Day Street Art Private Tour from Lisbon:
$933
-
2 Days Private Tour In the Algarve from Lisbon:
$682
-
3 Days Private Tour In Lisbon:
$639
-
3 Days Private Tour In the Algarve from Lisbon:
$886
-
3 Days Private Tour. Wines and Gastronomy:
$980
-
3 days Escape in Upper Alentejo, away from the crowds , experience authenticy of POrtugal:
$2,053
-
3-Night Private Tour of Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Sesimbra and Arrábida:
$1,086
-
3-Night Private Tour of Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Óbidos, Nazaré and Fátima:
$954
Typical Entertainment prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Museum
€11
-
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:
-
'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Tour From Reykjavik:
$126
-
(Private tour) 4 Days South Coast, Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes:
$3,388
-
1.5 Hour Midnight Sun Buggy Tour From Reykjavik:
$160
-
10-day Private tour of Iceland: Geysers & Glaciers:
$13,561
-
1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik:
$276
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Caving from Reykjavik:
$254
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Helicopter Adventure Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$403
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Rafting Tour from Reykjavik:
$287
-
1hr ATV Adventure & Whale Watching Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$248
-
1hr ATV Reykjavik Peak Adventure:
$143
-
1hr ATV adventure & Northern lights Hunt from Reykjavik:
$238
-
1hr Buggy & Lava Caving Combination Tour from Reykjavik:
$283
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Lisbon spend on average €14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Reykjavik spend on average €23 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
-
1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session:
$22
-
3-Hour Portuguese History & Flavors Food & Wine Tour:
$30
-
Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch:
$56
-
Christ the King and Arrábida Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon:
$58
-
Craft Beer, Port & Wine Tour:
$68
-
Food & Wine Tasting Walking Tour:
$75
-
Santuário Cristo Rei-Sesimbra-Castle Palmela-Bacalhoa Winery with wine tasting:
$81
-
Full-Day Évora Wine Tour:
$84
-
Wine Tasting in Lisbon:
$87
-
Private Van Tour Arrabida and Wine Tasting:
$89
-
Wine tasting Private Day Tour ARRABIDA:
$92
-
Van Private Tour Arrábida Wine Tour:
$96
Typical Alcohol prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
-
Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting:
$34
-
Private Reykjavik Pub Crawl:
$181
-
Reykjavik Food & Wine Tour:
$249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.
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