A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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: Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Reykjavik?

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

  • Reykjavik Prices
    Iceland Prices
    Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Reykjavik $307
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $56

The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $307, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56. 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 Reykjavik and Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Reykjavik $160
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Reykjavik $320
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $80
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Buenos Aires, Argentina

Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Reykjavik


Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Reykjavik $52
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik

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

  • Hveragerdi to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Deparure Private Transfer: $204
  • Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $42
  • Alesund : Private Transfer to/from Ålesund Airport and City: $117
  • Bláfjöll to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
  • Blue Lagoon Admission Including Return Transfers from Reykjavik: $206
  • Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $209
  • Blue Lagoon Private Transfer To and From Reykjavik/Keflavik: $155
  • Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $51
  • From KEF Airport: Private Transfer to Reykjavik in Iceland: $221
  • Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Transfer in Small Group by Van: $215
  • Grindavík to Reykjavik Airport(RKV) - Departure Private Transfer : $246
  • Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal: $155
  • Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $125
  • Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $138
  • Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE): $138
  • Ticket for the Museum and Stand of Boca Juniors with Transfers: $90
  • Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
  • Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $96
  • Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $70
  • Soccer Match in Buenos Aires with Transfers and Local Guide: $171
  • Rojo Tango Show with Optional Private Transfers in Buenos Aires: $265
  • Querandi Tango show Vip with private transfer: $210
  • Private transfer from EZEIZA Airport to Buenos Aires: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Reykjavik 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
    Reykjavik $60
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.60
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $25
  • Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $30
  • Tango Show in Madero Tango, with Optional Dinner: $30
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Lesson: $31
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $32
  • 3-Hour Buenos Aires Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Class: $35
  • Tango Show and Dinner at: Tango Porteño: $40
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $42
  • BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $45
  • Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Reykjavik $83
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
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:

  • Discover the key to Reykjavik Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
  • Reykjavik Viking Roots to Modern Marvels Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Viking Reykjavik GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $11
  • Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket: $24
  • Volcano Express Iceland Admission Ticket: Immersive Experience: $25
  • Settlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket: $30
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: $32
  • Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32
  • Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Driving Tour: $34
  • Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Prison Break 1: $45
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $50
  • Iceland's Golden Circle Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $50

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • E-Scooter Tour: Recoleta, Palermo & Downtown + Local Flavors: $69
  • Football Matchday In Argentina (Ticket+Transport+Guide): $130
  • Private City Tour with Local Gastronomy: $120
  • Private Full Day City Tour by Iconic Buenos Aires: $300
  • Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
  • "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food) : $300
  • 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina : $43
  • 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires : $30
  • 5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries: $82
  • 5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (Optional Street Food): $56
  • A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $152
  • Argentina Polo Experience by La Guapeada Polo: $267

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Reykjavik $32
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.27
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Boutique Wine Tasting: A Unique Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
  • BA: Wine Tasting and Blending Experience in Palermo : $51
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $61
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $63
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento in Finca del Sacramento: $110
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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


Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Reykjavik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Reykjavik during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In the summer, Reykjavik is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Reykjavik in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 279 hours of full sun.

Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in July than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Reykjavik 11°C (52°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In October, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 5°C (41°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Reykjavik 5°C (41°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Reykjavik is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the winter. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.

In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 143 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Reykjavik -0°C (32°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Reykjavik or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Reykjavik is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Reykjavik in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 227 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In April, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Reykjavik 3°C (38°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Reykjavik

Reykjavik Buenos Aires, Argentina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 76 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 7°C (44°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 10°C (49°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 5°C (41°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 1°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)