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

Should you visit Reykjavik or Miami?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Miami, 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.

Miami

Miami is a diverse, bustling, and high energy beach city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik and Miami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Miami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Miami than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Miami is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Miami is more touristy than Reykjavik and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. It is also home to South Beach. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Reykjavik different from Miami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Miami and Reykjavik. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Miami is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.

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 Miami Better for Nightlife?

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

Miami has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.

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 Miami Better for Music?

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

Miami is known as a music capital around the world. Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Resorts?

Miami is an amazing beach city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Miami offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Beaches?

Miami is an amazing beach city to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Miami are among the best in the world. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Miami 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.

Miami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Miami?

Miami is an amazing beach city to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Miami. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.

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 Miami Better for Families?

Reykjavik and Miami 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.

Miami is a very kid-friendly city. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Couples?

Reykjavik and Miami are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Miami frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik and Miami are both good 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.

Miami is a good city to visit for backpackers. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

Is Reykjavik or Miami Better for Students?

Both Reykjavik and Miami are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Miami is popular with students. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Reykjavik and Miami.

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

You'll find some public transit in Miami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

Is Reykjavik or Miami a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Miami 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.

Miami is a very walkable city. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Miami or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Miami?

Both Reykjavik and Miami have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Miami than in Reykjavik. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 7 days is enough time in Miami.

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

Couples should spend more time in Miami than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Miami that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Reykjavik or Miami?

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this safe destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Miami has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Miami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Miami?

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer.

A week in Reykjavik or Miami?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Miami is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Miami, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Miami?

Miami has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Miami, 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 Miami?

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 Miami in the Summer?

Both Miami 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 Miami because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Reykjavik is much colder than Miami in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Miami fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).

In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Miami. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 316 hours of full sun.

Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in July than Miami. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Miami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Miami. 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, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Miami this time of year.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than Miami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Miami averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Miami during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Miami. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Miami in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Miami. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Miami fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Miami. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 243 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Miami. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Miami receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Miami in the Spring?

Both Miami 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 Miami in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is much colder than Miami in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Miami fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Miami. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Miami during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Miami and Reykjavik