Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Sapa?
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 Sapa or Akureyri?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Akureyri can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sapa or Akureyri?
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
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 Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Sapa Prices
Vietnam PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySapa $45Akureyri $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Sapa is $45, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is $188. 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 Sapa and Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSapa $12Akureyri $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSapa $24Akureyri $204
Compare Hotels in Sapa and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Sapa 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.
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: Sapa Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sapa $8.96Akureyri $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $116
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to 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 Sapa or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Sapa 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 daySapa $27Akureyri $70
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.59
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.09
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Coffee (for Two)$2.28
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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Pho Soup$0.57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sapa $5.83Akureyri $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.52
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.76
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Walking Stick$0.19
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.04
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
- 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: $156
- 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 Private Tour Godafoss Myvatn Grjotagja Hverir Viti: $257
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169
- Akureyri to Lake Myvatn and Nature Baths Small Group Tour: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySapa $7.79Akureyri $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sapa is in Asia and Akureyri is in Europe, 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 Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sapa Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sapa or Akureyri?
Sapa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Sapa 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.
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.