Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Osaka?
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 Osaka or Akureyri?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka 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: Osaka or Akureyri?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Osaka Prices
Japan PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $110Akureyri $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $110, 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 Osaka and Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $48Akureyri $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $96Akureyri $206
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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.
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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Akureyri $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $73
- Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $258
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City: $71
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $70
- Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $282
- Kansai Airport（KIX） to or from Osaka Kyoto Private Transfer: $62
- Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX) Private Transfer to/from Osaka: $80
- Osaka : Private One-way Transfers to/from Kansai Airport(KIX): $59
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Osaka 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 dayOsaka $45Akureyri $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $30
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $34
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $41
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $45
- Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $51
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
- Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $54
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $55
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $55
- Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $21Akureyri $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$31
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.83
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.88
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.88
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM Live Show & Nightclub Admission Tickets: $6.88
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $7.16
- HEP Ferris Wheel Osaka Entry Ticket: $11
- Osaka Castle Entry Ticket: $13
- Osaka Castle Admission Ticket: $13
- Osaka Hidden Gems Tour: Tennoji & Oldest Temple with Audio Guide: $14
- Osaka Oracle GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $14
- Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory ETicket: $14
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Cruise Port: Mývatn Lakes, Waterfalls & Nature Trip: $282
- Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $167
- Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $229
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
- Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $329
- Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $247
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $143
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $135
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
- E-Bike Tour with Forest Lagoon Entry: $217
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $12Akureyri $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $24
- Nada Gogo Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe from Osaka: $259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia 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 Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Akureyri?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka or Akureyri?
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.
Should I visit Osaka or Akureyri in the Summer?
Both Akureyri and Osaka during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Osaka is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Osaka in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the summer, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in July than Akureyri. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOsaka 28°C (82°F)Akureyri 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Akureyri in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Akureyri. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In October, Osaka is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 19°C (66°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Osaka usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOsaka 19°C (66°F)Akureyri 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Akureyri in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Akureyri. Many travelers come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. Osaka is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In the winter, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun.
Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Akureyri. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOsaka 6°C (42°F)Akureyri -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Akureyri in the Spring?
Both Akureyri and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Osaka in the spring for the activities around the city.
Akureyri can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Osaka is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Osaka in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during spring. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOsaka 15°C (59°F)Akureyri 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Akureyri and Osaka
| Osaka | Akureyri | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.