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

Should you visit Hofn or Edinburgh?

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

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

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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh or Hofn?

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

  • Hofn Prices
    Iceland Prices
    Edinburgh Prices
    UK Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hofn $207
    Edinburgh $233

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $233. 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 Hofn and Edinburgh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $113
    Edinburgh $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $226
    Edinburgh $202
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Edinburgh

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Edinburgh? 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 Hofn


Hotels in Edinburgh


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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Edinburgh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $31
    Edinburgh $23

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:


  • Local Bus
    $4.91

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh

Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $728
  • Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $330
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Glasgow - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $277
  • Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $275
  • Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $270
  • Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $260
  • Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $250
  • Edinburgh to Stirling Luxury Taxi Transfer: $236
  • Luxury Private Car Transfer from Edinburgh Airport EDI to Glasgow: $227
  • Scottish Highlands Freedom Bike & E- Bike Tour with Transfers: $226
  • Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers: $212
  • Luxury Private Edinburgh Airport Transfer: $192

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Edinburgh?

Prices for flights to both Edinburgh and Hofn 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
    Hofn $73
    Edinburgh $92

Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $12
  • Dinner at Filling Station
    $14
  • Lunch for Two
    $20
  • Sandwich
    $2.52
  • Cheese & bread
    $9.86
  • Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    $34
  • 2 Coffees and Scones
    $7.91
  • Turkish Delight
    $1.91
  • Soup at the Pub
    $8.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $37
  • Edinburgh Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
  • Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $106
  • Scottish Mezze Cooking Class: $115
  • Taste & Tour: Edinburgh Food Tour with Drinks: $116
  • Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, Secret Dish & More: $125
  • Edinburgh Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, a Secret Dish & More: $126
  • Spirit of Scotland Show with 4-Course Dinner: $128
  • VIP Food Tour at a Secret Traditional Restaurant: $133
  • Scotch Whisky Tasting & 3 Course Dinner: $135
  • Premium Edinburgh Traditional Food Tour: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $20
    Edinburgh $27

Tours and Activities in Hofn

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

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Show Tickets
    $44
  • Movie Tickets for Two
    $16
  • Donation for Storytellers
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Edinburgh Castle Without the Crowds Exclusive Pre Opening Tour : $108
  • Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $164
  • 'A Wee Pedal's' Family Friendly Cycle Tour to Edinburgh's Coast : $79
  • 1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $95
  • 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour: $71
  • 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $245
  • 2-Day Oban, Glenfinnan, Glencoe & West Highlands Tour: $197
  • 3 Days - Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh: $539
  • 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $294
  • 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $247
  • 5-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, Oban, St Andrews and Highlands: $429
  • Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $13
    Edinburgh $21

Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:


  • Beer & Wine
    $19
  • Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern
    $2.25

Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh

Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Edinburgh's Best Bar Crawl: Free Shots, Discounts, Photos: $11
  • Ultimate Pub Crawl Party with 7 Bars & 1 Club: $16
  • 7 Bar Pub Crawl with 7 Shots & Discounts: $16
  • Guided Gin Tour & Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $19
  • Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $20
  • Edinburgh Pub Crawl Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
  • Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $27
  • Haggis paired with whisky & gins in 56 North distillery!: $28
  • Tranent: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting: $28
  • 5 Hours Edinburgh Halloween Bar Crawl: $30
  • Pickering's Gin Jolly Tour (Distillery & Tasting): $34
  • St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl Edinburgh: $34


When comparing the travel costs between Hofn and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Edinburgh, 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 Hofn or Edinburgh?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Edinburgh. Furthermore, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Edinburgh 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Edinburgh. Additionally, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Edinburgh 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Edinburgh 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Hofn can be very cold during spring. Hofn is much colder than Edinburgh in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Edinburgh 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Hofn

Hofn Edinburgh
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 14°C (58°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 10°C (49°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 5°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)