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 $304, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $106. 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 $158
    Santo Domingo $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Reykjavik $316
    Santo Domingo $86
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 $4.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik

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

  • From Reykjavik/Keflavik Airport: 1-Way Blue Lagoon Transfer: $31
  • Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $38
  • Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Center in Iceland: $39
  • Reykjavik/Keflavik: Sky Lagoon Private Transfer: $47
  • Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik Hotels: $52
  • Iceland Airport Transfer from Reykjavík Hotels to KEF Airport: $52
  • From Reykjavík: Private Transfer From OR To Blue Lagoon: $59
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $59
  • Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $60
  • Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn): $60
  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Bláfjöll - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
  • Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • VIP Suburban Private Transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: $170
  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $172
  • Uvero Alto to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Transfer from the Americas Inter. Airport to Punta Cana: $235
  • Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Samana Cruise Port: $122
  • Transfer from Airport to Hotel throughout Santo Domingo Dom Rep: $45
  • Transfer Private Airport SDQ to your Hotel in Santo Domingo: $65
  • Taxi & Transfer From And To Punta Cana International Airport: $20
  • Experience at the Museo del Ron Dominicano, Private Transfer.: $28
  • Bahía de las Águilas w/ Private Transfer: $250
  • Santo Domingo transfer to downtown (one-way private): $106
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30

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 $59
    Santo Domingo $57
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik

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


  • Dinner (Fish Market)
    $202

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik

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

  • Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
  • Harbor Cruise with Three Course Dinner from Reykjavik: $139
  • Food Tour by locals: $140
  • Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
  • Icelandic Food Tour: $147
  • The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $147
  • 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
  • Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
  • The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
  • Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
  • Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
  • Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $241

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santo Domingo.

  • Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
  • Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Reykjavik $82
    Santo Domingo $15
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
    $33

Tours and Activities in Reykjavik

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

  • Reykjavík Interactive City Tour: $8.29
  • A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
  • Viking Reykjavik GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $11
  • Reykjavik History and Sightseeing Walking Tour: $16
  • Caves of Laugarvatn Standard Tour: $17
  • Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $21
  • Reykjavik Art Museum Entry Ticket: $21
  • Volcano Express Entry Ticket at Harpa: $24
  • Mosfellsbæ: Authentic Icelandic Wool Yarn Factory Tour: $26
  • Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket: $29
  • Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $30
  • Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

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


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $44

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

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

  • 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
  • Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
  • Cacao trail and making of chocolate tour from Santo Domingo: $190
  • City Tour Historico Santo Domingo: $55
  • Colonial Zone: Historical Tour with Visit to Columbus Lighthouse and Los Tres Ojos Park: $90
  • Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
  • Dominican Food, Rum, and Beer Tasting Experience: $35
  • Experience the Three Eyes Park and Columbus Lighthouse: $45
  • From Punta Cana: Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour: $70
  • From Punta Cana: Sightseeing Tour of Santo Domingo, Zona Colonial, and Three Eyes: $85
  • From Catalina Island Day Tour: $85
  • From Full day Historical Tour with Lunch: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Reykjavik $32
    Santo Domingo $8.03
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik

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


  • Beer
    $9.98

Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:

  • Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
  • Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $49
  • Icelandic Bar Crawl Experience: $162


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.