A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palermo vs. Akureyri for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Palermo or Akureyri?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Akureyri can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Palermo or Akureyri?

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Palermo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Palermo Prices
    Italy Prices
    Akureyri Prices
    Iceland Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Palermo 114
    Akureyri 162

The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €114, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is €162. 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 Palermo and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palermo 56
    Akureyri 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palermo 112
    Akureyri 176
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Palermo or Akureyri? 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 Palermo


Hotels in Akureyri


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: Palermo Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palermo 5.64
    Akureyri 20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:


  • Bus to Monreale
    3.00
  • Bus From Airport
    6.00
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    1.30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    4.35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Business Car: $105
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Private Transfer Palermo Airport to Palermo: $80
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo City: $64
  • From Bus Transfer to/from Trapani City Center: $11
  • From Panoramic Transfer to Monreale in CruiserCar: $406
  • From Segesta Archaeological Park Transfer: $87
  • From Siracusa Transfer with Piazza Armerina Stop: $348
  • Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $118
  • Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $54
  • Palermo DA transfer to Trapani Port or Vinceversa: $271
  • 1-Way Private Transfer from the Airport: $68
  • Private airport transfer to Cefalù or Campofelice di Roccella: $204

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Palermo 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
    Palermo 51
    Akureyri 60
Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    32
  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.

  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $52
  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group with a Local: $53
  • Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo / History and Food: $59
  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $62
  • Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Flowing Wine: $64
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $64
  • Palermo : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $69
  • Pizza & Tiramisu Class with Free Flowing Fine Wine: $69
  • Original Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with Local -by Streaty: $70
  • Food Tour at the Vucciria Market – Palermo: $73
  • Pasta and Gelato Making Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
  • Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Palermo 17
    Akureyri 16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    6.00
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    12
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    49

Tours and Activities in Palermo

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

  • Single bus tickets between Airport and City Center: $6.99
  • Tour of Church of the Gesù & Casa Professa Museum: $9.32
  • sensorial experience of nature and ecology: $9.32
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Palermo: $9.42
  • Skip the Line in Museum of Marionette Antonio Pasqualino: $10
  • Tour of the historic center by little train: $12
  • Tour Cappella Palatina e palazzo Reale: patrimonio Unesco: $14
  • Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour: $14
  • Palermo Recorded Walking Tour with Local Expert: $17
  • tour Palermo with audioguide: $17
  • Cathedral Audioguided Tour & Rooftop Entry Ticket: $17
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket: $17

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
  • War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
  • Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
  • From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $77
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $85
  • Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $90
  • Zipline Tour: $95
  • Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
  • Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $100
  • Húsavík: Family-Run Whale Watching Tour: $100
  • 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palermo 11
    Akureyri 12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    2.56
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:

  • Guided Bar Crawl with Shots and Discounts on Drinks: $19
  • Sicilian wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres in an 18th century palace: $42
  • Sicilian Wine Tasting with Local Food in Palermo: $47
  • Wine Tasting with Sicilian Tapas: $50
  • Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $51
  • Etna Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
  • Sicily Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
  • Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $64
  • Eating Evening Food & Wine Tour: $99
  • Palermo on a plate: Mamma's classics and Wine tour: $104
  • Street Food and Wine Tour With an Architect: $116
  • 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $140


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Palermo.

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


Which is Bigger, Palermo or Akureyri?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Palermo and Akureyri, 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 Palermo or Akureyri?

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 Palermo or Akureyri in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Akureyri. Most visitors come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Palermo is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palermo in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during summer. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palermo usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Palermo 25°C (76°F) 
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Akureyri in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Akureyri. The autumn months attract visitors to Palermo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. In October, Palermo is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 20°C (67°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In the autumn, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Akureyri. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Palermo 20°C (67°F) 
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Akureyri in the Winter?

Both Akureyri and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Palermo this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Palermo is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during winter. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palermo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Akureyri. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Palermo 12°C (53°F) 
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Akureyri in the Spring?

Both Akureyri and Palermo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Palermo is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palermo in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. In the spring, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets more rain in April than Akureyri. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Palermo 15°C (58°F) 
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Akureyri and Palermo

Palermo Akureyri
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)