A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Odense vs. Reykjavik for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Odense or Reykjavik?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Odense and Reykjavik. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Odense

Other reasons to visit include food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Odense and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Thermal Pools


Is there more to do in Odense or Reykjavik?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Reykjavik than Odense. While Odense is larger than Reykjavik, Reykjavik has more sights and attractions for tourists. Reykjavik is better known for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Odense is more popular for its food. Reykjavik is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Also, Reykjavik is famous for The Thermal Pools. Odense is well known for

How is Odense different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Odense. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Odense or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Odense
Reykjavik

Odense is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).


Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Odense is not a hiking destination.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Odense is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Reykjavik?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Reykjavik to go shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Odense
Reykjavik

Both Odense and Reykjavik are great family-friendly destinations.

Odense is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is notable for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a good destination for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.


Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Odense
Reykjavik

Odense and Reykjavik are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Odense is a good city to visit for students. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Odense or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a good destination for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Odense or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Odense
Reykjavik

Reykjavik is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Odense is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Odense?

How long in Odense or Reykjavik?

In either Odense or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Odense because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Odense, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Couples should spend more time in Reykjavik than Odense. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Reykjavik that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than Odense if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Reykjavik.


  • How many days in Odense or Reykjavik? Ideal Length of Stay
    Odense 2-3 
    Reykjavik 1-5

One day in Odense or Reykjavik?

You'll find food around the city of Odense. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Odense or Reykjavik?

You'll find food around the destination of Odense. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Odense or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the city of Odense. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A week in Odense or Reykjavik?

Odense is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Odense?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $160, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $243. 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 Odense and Reykjavik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $80
    Reykjavik $138
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $160
    Reykjavik $276
Compare Hotels in Odense and Reykjavik

Looking for a hotel in Odense 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.

Hotels in Odense


Hotels in Reykjavik


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: Odense Hotel Prices and Reykjavik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Odense $44
    Reykjavik $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik

Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $27
  • Keflavik Airport & Reykjavik Hotels: Economy Bus Transfer: $27
  • Iceland: Airport Transfer Between Reykjavík Center and Keflavík : $28
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $28
  • Keflavík Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $29
  • Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $29
  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $36
  • Airport Express Shared Departure Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Reykjavik?

Prices for flights to both Reykjavik and Odense 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
    Odense $51
    Reykjavik $30

Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner (Fish Market)
    $176

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Icelandic Food Tour: $123
  • Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $125
  • The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $127
  • 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
  • Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $141
  • Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $144
  • Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour: $145
  • Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $29
    Reykjavik $71

Tours and Activities in Odense

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

  • Christmas Charms in Odense - Walking Tour: $585
  • Copenhagen Audio Tour: Following Hans Christian Andersen: $9.99
  • GoBoat Self-drive Boat Tour: $57
  • Inspiring Odense - Walking Tour for Couples: $478
  • River Cruise on the Odense River: $16

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
    $29

Tours and Activities in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
  • Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
  • Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
  • Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
  • Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
  • Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $17
  • Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
  • Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket: $18
  • Tales from Iceland Admission Ticket: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $22
    Reykjavik $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:


  • Beer
    $8.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:

  • Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
  • Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Odense and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Odense much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Odense would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Odense 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 Odense.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Odense Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Odense or Reykjavik?

Odense has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Odense 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.