Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Reykjavik, 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: Addis Ababa or Reykjavik?
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesReykjavik Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $32Reykjavik $307
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $32, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $307. 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 Addis Ababa and Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $17Reykjavik $160
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $34Reykjavik $320
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $3.10Reykjavik $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $154
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $298
- Private Airport Transfer between KEF Airport & Reykjavik: $278
- Private Transfer from Cruise Ship Port to Keflavik Int. Airport : $270
- Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $260
- Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Hveragerdi - Arrival Private Transfer: $246
- Grindavík to Reykjavik Airport(RKV) - Departure Private Transfer : $246
- Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Grindavík - Arrival Private Transfer: $246
- Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Skarfabakki Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $241
- Private Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport: $239
- Private Luxury Transfer from Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik: $227
- Private Transfer Reykjavik Domestic Airport To Keflavik Airport: $227
- Private Luxury Transfer from Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik and Addis Ababa 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 dayAddis Ababa $12Reykjavik $60
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
Slice of Cake$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa
For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
- Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
- Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
- Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Live Music: $99
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner (Fish Market)$204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $145
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $195
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $3.20Reykjavik $83
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 1-Day Tour Old Bridge, Monastery,WaterFalls Wildlife,Birds, : $128
- 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $315
- 2 Days Gheralta Tour Hidden Churches in Northern Ethiopia: $300
- 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
- 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
- 3 Days Rock Hewn Churches Cultural Tour in Lalibela: $300
- 3-Day Wild Wonders and Nature, Awash National Park Tour: $490
- 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $65
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
- 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
- 8 Hours Tour to Taste the Authentic Flavours of Ethiopia: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Museum$12
-
Wine and Spa$34
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Tour in South Coast and Golden Circle with Chinese Guide: $163
- Private Reykjavík Tuk Tuk Tour: $255
- Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour: $89
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Tour : Pick up from Reykjavik (2 persons per ATV): $130
- 1 hour Buggy adventure - From Reykjavik: $219
- 1+ hour Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík/Mosfellsbær: $143
- 9pm Whale Watching Cruise in the Arctic Sun: $99
- ATV Reykjavik Adventure: $165
- Adventure in Landmannalaugar and Hot Springs - Reykjavík & Hella: $215
- Black Beach ATV - QUAD Tour: $131
- Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour Including Admission : $231
- Cold & Hot: Adventure Spa Tour Combo: Silfra & Sky Lagoon Self-Drive: $285
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.64Reykjavik $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
-
Beer$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Reykjavik 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 Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Reykjavik?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa 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.
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.