A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Akureyri for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santorini or Akureyri?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Akureyri, 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: Santorini or Akureyri?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Santorini?

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

  • Santorini Prices
    Greece Prices
    Akureyri Prices
    Iceland Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santorini 250
    Akureyri 162

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is €162. 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 Santorini and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Akureyri 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Akureyri 176
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Akureyri? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Akureyri


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Akureyri 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • 24h Luxury Santorini Transfer or Arrival or Departure one way: $71
  • Airport, Port and Hotel Private Transfer in Santorini: $35
  • Arrival Transfer Santorini Airport to Athinios Por by Suv: $37
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini: $16
  • Athinios Port Transfer to Anywhere in Santorini: $29
  • Departure Transfer Athinios Port to Santorini Airport JTR by Suv: $37
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $35
  • Economy Arrival Transfers From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $16
  • Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $16
  • Economy Roundtrip Transfer Santorini Airport ( Max 4 stop ): $18
  • Economy Transfers From & To Santorini Port: $26
  • Express Private Transfer Service in Santorini: $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Santorini 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
    Santorini 96
    Akureyri 60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

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

  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $72
  • Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $100
  • Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $106
  • Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $118
  • Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $130
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $130
  • Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $142
  • Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings: $147
  • Small Group Cooking Lesson & Wine Tasting at Award-Winning Winery: $165
  • Miss Anna Santorini BAKING Cooking Class: $177
  • Clandestine Dinner by Petra Kouzina: $177
  • Santorini : Cooking Class & Easy Hike: $183

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Akureyri 16

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Fira Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h00 and 16 audio reviews: $6.96
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $17
  • Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise: $28
  • Santorini Volcano Cruise with Free Time in Thirasia from Athinios: $30
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $35
  • Private Tailor-Made Tour : Explore Santorini with Comfort & Style: $37
  • Small-Group Skip Cable Car Santorini Tour for First-Time Cruisers: $40
  • Santorini Volcanic Islands Cruise: Volcano, Hot Springs and Thirassia: $41
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $41
  • Santorini Tour Of Caldera with Glass Bottom Boat: $44
  • Santorini Volcanic Islands Cruise: Volcano,Hot Springs,Thirassia and Oia Sunset: $47
  • Hiden gems private tour: $47

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $165
  • Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
  • Akureyri Northern Light Tour: $139
  • Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $293
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Akureyri Port: Hot Godafoss Waterfall Tour & The Forest Lagoon: $157
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $328
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $182
  • Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $246
  • Akureyri Port: Small Group Godafoss and Laufas Turf House Tour: $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 25
    Akureyri 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $41
  • Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $41
  • Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $61
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $65
  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
  • Santorini Wine Tasting Museum: $81
  • Skip Sky Tram!! 5 Hour Hussle-Free Santorini Tour & Wine Tasting: $84
  • 5 Hour Tour & Wine Tasting - Skip Sky Tram Direct Port Pickup: $98
  • Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $105
  • Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $106
  • Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum: $124
  • Santorini Wine Tasting & Premium Lunch at Award-Winning Winery: $130


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Akureyri, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Akureyri would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Akureyri 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Akureyri.

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Akureyri?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Akureyri, 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.