Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or York?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit York 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.
York is a historic, medieval, and fanciful city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.
Travelers will usually find more to do in York than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. York is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. York is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. It is also home to The Shambles. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and York. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
York is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to York can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.
Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.
York is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, York is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.
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).
York is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.
York has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.
Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.
York is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.
York offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.
Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.
Reykjavik is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, York 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.
York is not a hiking destination.
Both York and Reykjavik are good shopping destinations.
York is a great destination for shopping. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Reykjavik. 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.
York is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
York is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.
Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. 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.
With fun activities for couples, both York and Reykjavik make for a very good place to visit.
York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.
Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.
York is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
York is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.
Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.
Reykjavik is a popular place for students. However, York is not popular with students.
Reykjavik is a good city to visit for students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.
York is not popular with students.
Both York and Reykjavik offer good public transit options.
York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.
Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.
Reykjavik is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.
Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.
York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.
For even more information, also check out Is York Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.
In either York or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than York because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.
Families should spend more time in York than Reykjavik. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in York, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in York than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in York that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in York than Reykjavik 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 York.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of York. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the medieval destination of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of York. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the clean destination of Reykjavik. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
York is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.
The clean city of Reykjavik offers nightlife and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in York is £106, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is £198. 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 York and Reykjavik in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in York or Reykjavik? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik and York 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in York.
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between York and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is York much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to York would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in York 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 York.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is York Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.
York has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of York 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Reykjavik and York during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to York for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
York is a little warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in York averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the summer, York often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.
York usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Reykjavik. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to York in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, 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. In the autumn, York is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in York in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).
York usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, York usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to York for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. York can be very cold during winter. In January, York is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in York average around 4°C (39°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
In the winter, York often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.
York usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Reykjavik and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. York is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in York averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
York usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, York usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
York | Reykjavik | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
May | 11°C (53°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |