A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Seattle for Hiking, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Reykjavik or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Seattle, 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 clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Reykjavik and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Reykjavik. Seattle is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, and big city activities, 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. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle.

How is Reykjavik different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle 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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Reykjavik is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Reykjavik is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for the nearby hiking options. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Seattle?

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

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.

Seattle offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Families?

Reykjavik is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik and Seattle are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Seattle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Reykjavik or Seattle a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Seattle are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Seattle?

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

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

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

One day in Reykjavik or Seattle?

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. 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 Seattle?

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Seattle?

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 live music when visiting the outdoorsy city of Seattle. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In July, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 11°C (52°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. Reykjavik is much colder than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 5°C (41°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reykjavik usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattle. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Reykjavik during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the winter, Reykjavik is much colder than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Reykjavik in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Seattle. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 3°C (38°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Seattle. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Reykjavik