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

Should you visit Sydney or Akureyri?

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

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

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Sydney?

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 Sydney is $207, 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 Sydney and Akureyri in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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 Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Akureyri $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
  • 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
  • Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $113
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $126
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $113
  • Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
  • Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $113
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355

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 Sydney or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Sydney 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
    Sydney $77
    Akureyri $71
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Akureyri $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

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

  • Sydney's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.79
  • Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.20
  • Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
  • Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $10
  • Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
  • Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
  • Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
  • Tours & Exhibitions at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17

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
    Sydney $15
    Akureyri $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151


When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Akureyri, we can see that Sydney 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. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Akureyri is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Akureyri?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Akureyri?

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

Should I visit Sydney or Akureyri in the Summer?

Both Akureyri and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sydney is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Akureyriin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Akureyri in the Autumn?

Both Akureyri and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In April, Sydney is generally much warmer than Akureyriin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Akureyriin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Akureyriin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Akureyri in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Akureyri. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. Sydney is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F)in January.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Akureyriin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Akureyri in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Akureyri. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Akureyri can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Akureyriin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Akureyriin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Akureyri and Sydney

Sydney Akureyri
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)