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

Should you visit Southampton or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Reykjavik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a up-and-coming, waterfront, and dynamic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Southampton and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Reykjavik?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Reykjavik than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Reykjavik, Reykjavik has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Reykjavik is very popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Southampton attracts visitors for its museums and food. Reykjavik is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. It is also well known for The Thermal Pools. Southampton is famous for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Southampton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Reykjavik?

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Southampton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Southampton. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

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 Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Southampton and Reykjavik.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Reykjavik. 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 Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Southampton is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Reykjavik?

If you're looking to go shopping, Southampton and Reykjavik both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Many visitors go to Reykjavik to go shopping. 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.

Is Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. 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.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Reykjavik make for a very good place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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.

Is Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Reykjavik is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Reykjavik?

In either Southampton or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Southampton because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than Southampton 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 Reykjavik.

One day in Southampton or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Southampton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the friendly destination of Reykjavik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic port city of Southampton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Reykjavik. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Reykjavik?

Southampton is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Reykjavik?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Reykjavik, 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 Southampton or Reykjavik?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Southampton or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Southampton is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 18°C (64°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Southampton in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Southampton is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Southampton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Southampton is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Southampton in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Southampton because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In April, Southampton is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 9°C (48°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Southampton