A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Reykjavik or Lima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Lima, 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 Lima?

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.

Lima

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Reykjavik?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $298, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Reykjavik $155
    Lima $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Reykjavik $310
    Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Lima? 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.

Hotels in Reykjavik


Hotels in Lima


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 Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Reykjavik $51
    Lima $6.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik

Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Reykjavik/Keflavik Airport: 1-Way Blue Lagoon Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer Between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik locations: $35
  • Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $38
  • Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Center in Iceland: $39
  • Iceland Airport Transfer from Reykjavík Hotels to KEF Airport: $52
  • From Reykjavík: Private Transfer From OR To Blue Lagoon: $59
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $59
  • Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $60
  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Bláfjöll - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Reykjavík/Keflavík–Blue Lagoon, Silica & Retreat Transfer: $67
  • Keflavik Airport (KEF): Private Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $70

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM): $34
  • Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $14
  • Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
  • Transfer from the Airport to hotels in Lima: $30
  • Transfer by official taxi from Jorge Chávez Lima Airport: $35
  • Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
  • Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
  • Tour Night Magic Water Park and Ravine with Transfer: $49
  • Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
  • QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
  • Private taxi transfer: Lima Jorge Chávez Airport – Safe: $14
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima 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 day
    Reykjavik $58
    Lima $33
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
  • 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: $204
  • Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
  • Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $241

Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.71
  • Ice cream
    $3.82
  • Coffee
    $3.23
  • Donut
    $1.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.

  • Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
  • Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
  • Lima Market Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Reykjavik $80
    Lima $9.38
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:

  • Reykjavik History and Sightseeing Walking Tour: $16
  • Caves of Laugarvatn Standard Tour: $16
  • 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
  • Saga Museum Entry Ticket: $33
  • Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket: $34
  • Whales Of Iceland Admission Ticket: $34
  • Uncomfortable Iceland — Alternative History Tour: $35
  • Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Driving Tour: $40

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    $18
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.50

Tours and Activities in Lima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:

  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $134
  • 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
  • 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
  • 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
  • 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
  • 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
  • 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Reykjavik $31
    Lima $6.10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:


  • Beer
    $9.76

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: $48
  • Reykjavík Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Games: $115
  • Icelandic Bar Crawl Experience: $160

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.91
  • Beer
    $4.41
  • Cocktail
    $3.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139


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

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


Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Lima, 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 Lima?

Reykjavik has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Lima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

Reykjavik is much colder than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the summer, Reykjavik often gets more sunshine than Lima. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Reykjavik 11°C (52°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Lima in the Autumn?

Both Lima and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Reykjavik usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Lima. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Reykjavik 5°C (41°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Lima in the Winter?

Both Lima and Reykjavik during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Lima. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Reykjavik -0°C (32°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Lima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Lima. The spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Reykjavik is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Lima during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Lima. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Reykjavik 3°C (38°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Reykjavik

Reykjavik Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 76 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 7°C (44°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 10°C (49°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 52 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 5°C (41°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 1°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)