A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Hofn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sydney or Hofn?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Hofn, 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: Sydney or Hofn?

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Hofn or Sydney?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $207, while the average daily cost in Hofn is $207. 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 Sydney and Hofn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $103
    Hofn $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $206
    Hofn $226
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Hofn

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Hofn? 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 Sydney


Hotels in Hofn


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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Hofn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Hofn $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661
  • Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
  • Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
  • Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
  • Private Transfer from Sydney Hotels to Airport: $255
  • Private Transfer from Sydney City Hotels to Newcastle Cruise Port: $252
  • Private Transfer - Sydney Airport (SYD) to Newcastle Cruise Port: $252
  • Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney CBD/Downtown to Sydney Airport 1-11 people: $242
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-11 people: $242
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Hofn?

Prices for flights to both Hofn and Sydney 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
    Sydney $77
    Hofn $73
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Hofn $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

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

  • Sunrise Serenity Kayak Tour of Sydney Harbour: $104
  • #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Adventure: $113
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $117
  • 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
  • 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
  • 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
  • 3 Hours Elvis Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $53
  • 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $238
  • 30-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2: $331
  • 45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride: $66
  • 45-Minute Vivid Sydney Scenic Jet Boat Cruise Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Hofn

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

  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
  • Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
  • 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
  • Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Hofn $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151


When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Hofn, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Hofn is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Hofn?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 2590 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Hofn, 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 Sydney or Hofn?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hofn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Hofn in the Summer?

Both Hofn and Sydney during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally much warmer than Hofnin July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Hofnin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Hofn 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Hofn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Hofn. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. Sydney is much warmer than Hofn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Hofn fluctuates around 4°C (40°F)in October.

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than Hofnin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Hofn 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Hofn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Hofn. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sydney is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Hofn averages at about -0°C (31°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Hofn. Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Hofnin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Hofn -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Hofn in the Spring?

Both Hofn and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Hofn can be very cold during spring. In October, Sydney is generally much warmer than Hofnin April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In October, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hofnin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Hofn 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Hofn and Sydney

Sydney Hofn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)