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

Should you visit Reykjavik or Austin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Austin, 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 safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Austin

Austin is a unconventional, lively, and entrepreneurial city. It's also a big city with many activities. This is beautiful destination to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Austin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Austin than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Austin is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Austin and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Austin is popular for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. It is also home to The Texas Capital.

How is Reykjavik different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Austin 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 Austin?

Austin is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Austin can be an interesting and educational experience. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Austin is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Austin is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

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 Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Austin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Austin is known as a music capital around the world. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

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.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Austin?

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

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.

Austin offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is a great destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Austin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

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

Is Reykjavik or Austin Better for Students?

Austin is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Austin is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Reykjavik is popular with 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.

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

Reykjavik is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Reykjavik or Austin a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a great destination for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Austin or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Reykjavik and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than in Austin. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

Families should spend more time in Reykjavik than Austin. 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 Austin. 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 Austin than Reykjavik 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 Austin.

One day in Reykjavik or Austin?

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.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Austin. 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.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Austin?

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.

You'll find live music and food around the entrepreneurial destination of Austin. 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 Austin?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the entrepreneurial city of Austin. 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.

A week in Reykjavik or Austin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly 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.

Austin 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Austin, 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 Austin?

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 Austin in the Summer?

Both Austin and Reykjavik during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

Reykjavik is much colder than Austin in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Austin. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Austin. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Austin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Austin. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than Austin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Austin averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Austin during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Austin. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Austin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Austin. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Austin. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Austin. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Austin. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Austin in the Spring?

Both Austin and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Reykjavik is much colder than Austin in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Austin during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Austin. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Austin and Reykjavik