Which place is cheaper, Montevideo or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or Montevideo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Montevideo, 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 Montevideo?
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.
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $246Montevideo $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $246, while the average daily cost in Montevideo is $64. 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 Montevideo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $139Montevideo $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $278Montevideo $80
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Montevideo
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Montevideo? 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 Montevideo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $46Montevideo $7.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reykjavík: South Coast Guided Day Trip by Jeep with Transfer: $1,776
- Private 7-hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,183
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $476
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $308
- From ATV Ride and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfer: $288
- Lava Tunnel Caving & Snorkeling in Silfra with Transfer | Free Photos: $283
- Lava Tunnel Caving with Transfer | Small Group: $283
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer Service: $280
- Private transfer: Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport (KEF): $277
- Private Airport Transfer from Reykjavik: $270
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $19
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Carrasco Airport Transfer: $20
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Montevideo?
Prices for flights to both Montevideo 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 $30Montevideo $14
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)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $72Montevideo $21
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$11
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Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $145
- 1 hour Reykjavík E Scooter Adventure: $66
- 1 hour Reykjavík E-Scooter Adventure: $64
- 1-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik: $131
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $438
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr Buggy Adventure & Whale Watching from Reykjavik: $289
- 1hr Buggy Adventure from Reykjavik: $172
- 2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: $169
- 2hr Buggy 'Lava Field Adventure' from Reykjavik: $219
- 3-Hour Private Discover Reykjavik Photography Tour: $172
- 3hr Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure from Reykjavik: $299
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
- Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
- Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $120
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $120
- Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
- City tour Montevideo: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $28Montevideo -
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$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Montevideo, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Montevideo 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Montevideo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Montevideo?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Montevideo, 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 Montevideo?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Montevideo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Reykjavik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Reykjavik or Montevideo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Montevideo. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
In July, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Montevideoin January. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 11°C (52°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Montevideo during summer. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Montevideoin January. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryReykjavik 11°C (52°F)Montevideo 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Montevideo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Montevideo. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is much colder than Montevideo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 5°C (41°F) in October, and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.
In the autumn, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Montevideoin April. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 171 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montevideo. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in October than Montevideoin April. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilReykjavik 5°C (41°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Montevideo in the Winter?
Both Montevideo and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Reykjavik is much colder than Montevideo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Reykjavik in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Montevideo averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Montevideo during winter. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Montevideoin July. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyReykjavik -0°C (32°F)Montevideo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Montevideo in the Spring?
Both Montevideo and Reykjavik during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Montevideoin October. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 3°C (38°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Montevideoin October. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 248 hours of full sun.
Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in April than Montevideoin October. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberReykjavik 3°C (38°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Montevideo and Reykjavik
| Reykjavik | Montevideo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.