A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Akureyri for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Akureyri?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Akureyri, 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: Aqaba or Akureyri?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Aqaba?

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 Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is $191. 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 Aqaba and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Akureyri $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Akureyri $206
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Akureyri? 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 Aqaba


Hotels in Akureyri


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Akureyri $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Amman/Death Sea: 1-Way Transfer to/from Wadi Rum in Private: $266
  • Aqaba : Private Transfer From the Airport or your Hotel: $88
  • Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $144
  • Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra : $90
  • Aqaba Border (Yitzhak Rabin Terminal) to Petra Private Transfer: $140
  • Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
  • Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
  • Private Beach, Pools, Snorkeling & Boat Trip,Transfer: $66
  • Private Car Transfer with Wadi Rum Jeep Safari: $169

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Aqaba 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
    Aqaba $73
    Akureyri $71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

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

  • Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
  • Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
  • Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
  • 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
  • Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Akureyri $18

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

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

  • Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
  • Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
  • Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
  • Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

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

  • Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
  • War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
  • Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $65
  • Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $78
  • Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $78
  • Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour: $79
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
  • Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall: $82
  • Zipline Tour: $95
  • Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
  • Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated : $98
  • Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Akureyri $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Akureyri 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 Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Aqaba.

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


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Akureyri?

Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Akureyri, 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 Aqaba or Akureyri?

Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Aqaba or Akureyri in the Summer?

Both Akureyri and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year.

Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during summer. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aqaba 33°C (91°F) 
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Akureyri in the Autumn?

Both Akureyri and Aqaba during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Aqaba is much warmer than Akureyri in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the autumn, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in October than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aqaba 26°C (79°F) 
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Akureyri in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Akureyri. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round.

Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Aqaba is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Akureyri averages at about -2°C (28°F).

In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during winter. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aqaba 14°C (57°F) 
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Akureyri in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Akureyri. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Akureyri can be very cold during spring. In April, Aqaba is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the spring, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in April than Akureyri. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aqaba 24°C (75°F) 
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Akureyri and Aqaba

Aqaba Akureyri
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 1 mm (0 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)