Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Reykjavik Prices
Iceland PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $304Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $304, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $158Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $316Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $52Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 hour ATV Mountain Peak adventure with transfer from Reykjavik: $129
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik Hotels: $52
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Center in Iceland: $39
- Alesund : Private Transfer to/from Ålesund Airport and City: $116
- Bláfjöll to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
- Blue Lagoon Admission with Mask, Drink, Transfers from Reykjavik: $236
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $221
- Blue Lagoon Private Transfer :From KEF or Reykjavik: $153
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $60
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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
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Food Meals for one dayReykjavik $59Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$202
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
- Harbor Cruise with Three Course Dinner from Reykjavik: $139
- 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
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
- Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $241
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- 4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $82Cuenca $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$33
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Reykjavík Interactive City Tour: $8.29
- A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
- Viking Reykjavik GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $11
- Reykjavik History and Sightseeing Walking Tour: $16
- Caves of Laugarvatn Standard Tour: $17
- 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: $30
- Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $104
- Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $50
- City tour at Cuenca: $117
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $32Cuenca $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$9.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $49
- Icelandic Bar Crawl Experience: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Cuenca, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Reykjavik has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Reykjavik or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Reykjavik during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
In the summer, Reykjavik is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Reykjavik in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyReykjavik 11°C (52°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Cuenca. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 5°C (41°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberReykjavik 5°C (41°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Cuenca. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Reykjavik is much colder than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryReykjavik -0°C (32°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Reykjavik is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Reykjavik in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilReykjavik 3°C (38°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Reykjavik
| Reykjavik | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.