A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Rotorua for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Reykjavik or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Rotorua, 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. Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a cultural, natural, and world-renowned town. Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotorua travel costs.

Reykjavik and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rotorua than Reykjavik. While Reykjavik is larger than Rotorua, Rotorua has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rotorua is better known for its museums and attractions and food, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Rotorua is well known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. Also, Rotorua is famous for Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

How is Reykjavik different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Rotorua is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Rotorua can be an interesting and educational experience. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rotorua is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Both Reykjavik and Rotorua have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Reykjavik. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Reykjavik and Rotorua.

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.

Rotorua offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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.

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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.

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Reykjavik and Rotorua.

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

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Reykjavik or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the natural destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Reykjavik or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Rotorua?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua 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 Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Reykjavik is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the autumn 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 Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 5°C (41°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Rotorua in the Winter?

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

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Reykjavik is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Reykjavik in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

In January, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Rotorua in the Spring?

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

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 3°C (38°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Reykjavik