A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Santo Domingo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Reykjavik or Santo Domingo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Santo Domingo, 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 Santo Domingo?

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.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.

Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.

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 Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Reykjavik?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $307, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $99. 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 Santo Domingo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Reykjavik $160
    Santo Domingo $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Reykjavik $320
    Santo Domingo $80
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Santo Domingo

Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Santo Domingo? 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.

Hotels in Reykjavik


Hotels in Santo Domingo


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 Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Reykjavik $52
    Santo Domingo $4.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik

Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $31
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $31
  • Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $31
  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavik and Reykjavik Hotels: $40
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $42
  • Private Transfers in Iceland: $45
  • Private Transfer to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik Keflavik: $49
  • Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $51
  • Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $58
  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
  • Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Reykjavík/Keflavík–Blue Lagoon, Silica & Retreat Transfer: $67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
  • Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
  • Transfer in Tesla from SDQ Airport to Santo Domingo: $68
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
  • Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Uvero Alto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Punta Cana: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Santo Domingo?

Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Reykjavik $60
    Santo Domingo $53
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner (Fish Market)
    $204

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $143
  • The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $145
  • 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
  • Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $195
  • Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Reykjavik $83
    Santo Domingo $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Art Museum
    $12
  • Wine and Spa
    $34

Tours and Activities in Reykjavik

For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Reykjavik Viking Roots to Modern Marvels Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Settlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket: $30
  • Northern Lights: Aurora Basecamp Observatory Guided Experience: $30
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: $32
  • Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32
  • Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Driving Tour: $34
  • Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Prison Break 1: $45
  • Reykjavík Shared Tuk Tuk Tour: $50
  • Walking tour of Reykjavik city: $51
  • Lava Show Reykjavik Admission Ticket - Optional Premium Upgrade : $55
  • Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland: $55
  • Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík: $60

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $42

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:

  • Discover Santo Domingo Gualey and Zona Colonial Private Tour: $115
  • Santo Domingo A Historic Day Tour with Lunch from Punta Cana: $109
  • 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
  • 6-Hour Private Tour of Águilas Bay and the Bauxite Mine: $130
  • Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
  • Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
  • Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
  • Full-Day Adventure Tour of Culture through Santo Domingo: $125
  • Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Reykjavik $32
    Santo Domingo $7.54
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:


  • Beer
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:

  • Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller: $35
  • Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $49


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

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


Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Santo Domingo, 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.