Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Reykjavik or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Arequipa, 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: Reykjavik or Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Reykjavik Prices
Iceland PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $298Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $298, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Reykjavik and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $155Arequipa $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $310Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Arequipa? 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $51Arequipa $6.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik Hotels: $52
- Alesund : Private Transfer to/from Ålesund Airport and City: $116
- Blue Lagoon Admission with Mask, Drink, Transfers from Reykjavik: $236
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $216
- Blue Lagoon Private Transfer :From KEF or Reykjavik: $151
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from Reykjavik or Keflavik Airport: $200
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $70
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $613
- Bus Transfer: Reykjavík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur to Thórsmörk: $95
- Cruise Port Transfer : Reykjavik to Cruise Port: $174
- From Reykjavík: Blue Lagoon Premium Admission with Transfer: $206
- From Reykjavík: Private Transfer From OR To Blue Lagoon: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.48
-
Bus Ride$0.47
-
Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $256
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $267
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Reykjavik 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 dayReykjavik $58Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner (Fish Market)$198
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
- Food Tour by locals: $140
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
- Icelandic Food Tour: $147
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $147
- 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Reykjavík Food Tour with 5 Authentic Local Tastings & Secret Dish: $151
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals: $203
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.44
-
Lunch$3.10
-
Ice Cream$1.18
-
Fruit$0.89
-
Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $80Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Museum$12
-
Wine and Spa$32
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour in Reykjavik: $5.00
- A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
- TOP Iceland : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $21
- Reykjavik Art Museum Entry Ticket: $21
- Volcano Express Entry Ticket at Harpa: $24
- Mosfellsbæ: Authentic Icelandic Wool Yarn Factory Tour: $26
- Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket: $29
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $29
- Volcano Express Iceland Admission Ticket: Immersive Experience: $32
- Saga Museum Entry Ticket: $33
- Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket: $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.96
-
Salsa Class$2.96
-
Movie Ticket$3.22
-
Hot Springs$2.96
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Tour Adventure: $90
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $31Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
-
Beer$9.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $48
- Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $48
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Icelandic Bar Crawl and Karaoke Experience: $169
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Arequipa, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Arequipa is in South 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Arequipa, 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.
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.