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

Should you visit Reykjavik or New Orleans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or New Orleans, 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 green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Reykjavik and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Reykjavik and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

The French Quarter

How is Reykjavik different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

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

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans Better for Music?

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

New Orleans is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to New Orleans to see the historical old town. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Reykjavik. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for Families?

Reykjavik is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans Better for Students?

Both Reykjavik and New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

Reykjavik is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Reykjavik or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Reykjavik and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than in New Orleans. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the clean city of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find live music and food around the city of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find food and nightlife around the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the clean city of Reykjavik. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic city of New Orleans. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Reykjavik or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Reykjavik and New Orleans, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Reykjavik is in Europe and New Orleans is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Reykjavik or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Reykjavik is much colder than New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during summer. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In July, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Reykjavik or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Reykjavik during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in October than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and New Orleans. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Reykjavik or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as New Orleans. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Reykjavik is much colder than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In the spring, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Reykjavik