Which place is cheaper, Hofn or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Hofn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Hofn. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Hofn?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesHofn Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Hofn $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Hofn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Hofn $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Hofn $226
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Hofn
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Hofn $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- KUL Hotel to Singapore(One Way Transfer): $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Penang Island Transfer [Car]: $265
- Cameron Highlands Transfer Private (Per Vehicle): $260
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $239
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $239
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $233
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- KL City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Hofn?
Prices for flights to both Hofn and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Hofn $73
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $39
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Hofn $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cameron Highland Day Tour From Kuala Lumpur By Group: $155
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $199
- Half Day Kuala Lumpur Culture And Communities Exploration Tour: $30
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- KLCC Lake Symphony & The River of Life Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $33
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $61
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City Tour Cruise Excursion from Port Klang: $65
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Family Tour With Aquaria KLCC : $105
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Petronas Twin Tower Tickets with City Tour: $80
- Putrajaya Tour: $32
- Shah Alam Islamic Arts and Culture Tours : $31
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Hofn $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Hofn, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Hofn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Hofn?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 860 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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.
When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Hofn?
Hofn has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hofn in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Hofn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hofn averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Hofn. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Hofn 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hofn in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Hofn. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Hofn. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Hofn 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hofn in the Winter?
Both Hofn and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Hofn in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Hofn fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Hofn. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Hofn -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hofn in the Spring?
Both Hofn and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Hofn averages at about 2°C (36°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Hofn. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Hofn 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Hofn and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Hofn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
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.