Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or Valparaiso?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
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 in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Reykjavik Prices
Iceland PricesValparaiso Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $307Valparaiso $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $307, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $82. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $160Valparaiso $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $320Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Valparaiso? 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.
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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $52Valparaiso $4.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $31
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $31
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $42
- Alesund : Private Transfer to/from Ålesund Airport and City: $117
- Arrival in Iceland - Private airport transfer from KEF Airport: $125
- Bláfjöll to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
- Blue Lagoon Admission Including Return Transfers from Reykjavik: $206
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $209
- Blue Lagoon Private Transfer To and From Reykjavik/Keflavik: $155
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $51
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $58
- Cruise Port Private Transfer To and From Reykjavik Keflavik : $179
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
- Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $260
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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
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Food Meals for one dayReykjavik $60Valparaiso $38
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada$1.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $83Valparaiso $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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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 Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour$4.19
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
- Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
- Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $189
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $112
- Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $112
- Horse Ride & BBQ in Ritoque Beach&Dunes FROM VALPO. Private Tour: $298
- Isla Negra Museum & CasaBlanca Winery From Valpo. Private Tour: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $32Valparaiso $7.78
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer$0.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- A Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Service from Casablanca : $75
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Valparaiso, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Valparaiso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Valparaiso is in South 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 Valparaiso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Valparaiso?
Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Valparaiso, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.