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

Should you visit Reykjavik or Baltimore?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Baltimore, 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. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a diverse, colorful, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Baltimore?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Baltimore is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Baltimore is famous for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium.

How is Reykjavik different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Baltimore 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 Baltimore can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Baltimore has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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 Baltimore Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. 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.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Baltimore?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Reykjavik or Baltimore Better for Families?

Reykjavik and Baltimore are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

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.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Reykjavik or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Reykjavik or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik and Baltimore are both nice 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.

Baltimore is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Reykjavik or Baltimore Better for Students?

Reykjavik is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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.

Is Reykjavik or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Baltimore are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Baltimore?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore 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 Baltimore.

One day in Reykjavik or Baltimore?

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 Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the green 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 nightlife around the vibrant destination of Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the clean 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 nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

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.

Baltimore 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Reykjavik during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Reykjavik is much colder than Baltimore. Typically, the summer temperatures in Reykjavik in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Baltimore averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in July than Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Baltimore in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Baltimore. The autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In October, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 5°C (41°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Baltimore. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Baltimore. It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. Reykjavik is much colder than Baltimore in the winter. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Baltimore in the Spring?

Both Baltimore and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the spring for the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the spring, Reykjavik is much colder than Baltimore. Typically, the spring temperatures in Reykjavik in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Baltimore averages at about 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Reykjavik