A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Hiking, Couples, Families, and Food

Should you visit Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Reykjavik have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Reykjavik is very popular for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel attracts visitors for its museums and food. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Reykjavik and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Reykjavik is famous 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Mont-Saint-Michel from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Mont-Saint-Michel. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Reykjavik is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Reykjavik is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Reykjavik is very good for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

You'll find some public transit in Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable city. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Reykjavik than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Reykjavik.

One day in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and museums around the island of Mont-Saint-Michel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and nightlife around the safe city of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find museums and food around the iconic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife and shopping around the clean destination of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the iconic island of Mont-Saint-Michel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 1420 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Reykjavik is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Reykjavik in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Mont-Saint-Michel. The autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In October, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 5°C (41°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. Reykjavik is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the spring, Reykjavik is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Reykjavik in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Reykjavik