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

Should you visit Reykjavik or Anchorage?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Anchorage, 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a outdoorsy, scenic, and breathtaking city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Anchorage than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Anchorage is more popular for its museums and food, while Reykjavik is known for its nightlife. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Anchorage is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. It is also home to Chugach State Park.

How is Reykjavik different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Anchorage is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Anchorage is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Anchorage 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 Anchorage. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

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 Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik and Anchorage are both places where visitors can find first-rate hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Around Anchorage visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Reykjavik and Anchorage.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Reykjavik. 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.

Anchorage offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Reykjavik and Anchorage are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik and Anchorage are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Anchorage is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Reykjavik is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Reykjavik or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Reykjavik and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than in Anchorage. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

Families should spend more time in Reykjavik than Anchorage. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Reykjavik, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than Anchorage 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.

One day in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Anchorage. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the safe destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

You'll find museums and food around the outdoorsy destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Five days in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic city of Anchorage. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Anchorage, 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 Reykjavik or Anchorage?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Anchorage. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Reykjavik is cooler than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Reykjavik during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Anchorage. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Reykjavik is a little warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Reykjavik