Which place is cheaper, Hofn or Taupo?
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 Taupo or Hofn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Taupo or Hofn? 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.
Where Should I go: Taupo or Hofn?
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.
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Taupo Prices
New Zealand PricesHofn Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaupo $128Hofn $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $128, 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 Taupo and Hofn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaupo $62Hofn $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaupo $124Hofn $226
Compare Hotels in Taupo and Hofn
Looking for a hotel in Taupo 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.
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: Taupo Hotel Prices and Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taupo $25Hofn $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
- Tongariro Crossing : 2 Day PRIVATE TRANSFER Leaving AUCKLAND: $1,113
Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or Hofn?
Prices for flights to both Hofn and Taupo 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 dayTaupo $41Hofn $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taupo $34Hofn $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Bungy Jumping$151
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Jet Boating$56
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chasing Waterfalls The Adventurer from Kinloch Marina: $161
- Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo: $35
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Candy Cottage: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Cursed Cabin: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $22
- Great Lake Trail Lake Taupo 2-Day Mountain Biking Tour: $95
- Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $35
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
- Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp: $30
- Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Kindred Spirit: $35
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaupo $13Hofn $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
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Wine$5.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taupo and Hofn, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Taupo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taupo is in Pacific and Hofn 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 Taupo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taupo 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn than you might in Taupo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taupo Expensive? and Is Hofn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taupo or Hofn?
Taupo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Taupo 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.
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.