Is Reykjavik or Stockholm cheaper?

Stockholm is cheaper on average. A mid-range day in Reykjavik costs about $220 vs $170 in Stockholm, so Stockholm saves you roughly $50 per day compared to Reykjavik.

Is Reykjavik or Stockholm safer?

Reykjavik scores higher on our safety index (92/100 vs 90/100). Iceland is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world.

How do daily costs in Reykjavik and Stockholm compare?

In Reykjavik: budget ~$100-150/day, mid-range ~$200-350/day, luxury ~$500+/day. In Stockholm: budget ~$70-110/day, mid-range ~$150-250/day, luxury ~$400+/day.

← Back to Compare

Reykjavik vs Stockholm

Q: Which has better weather, Reykjavik or Stockholm?

Stockholm has the more temperate climate year-round. Stockholm has a humid continental climate with long, dark winters and bright, mild summers. Daylight varies dramatically — from nearly 24 hours of light in midsummer to just 6 hours in December. The city is less cold than its latitude suggests, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.

Which destination is right for your next trip?

Reykjavik

Iceland

Stockholm

Sweden

Reykjavik

Safety: 95/100Pop: 140K (city)Atlantic/Reykjavik

Stockholm

Safety: 82/100Pop: 1M (city), 2.4M (metro)Europe/Stockholm

💰 Budget

budget

Reykjavik: $100-150/dayStockholm: $70-110

mid-range

Reykjavik: $200-350/dayStockholm: $150-250

luxury

Reykjavik: $500+/dayStockholm: $400+

🛡️ Safety

Reykjavik95/100✓Safety Score82/100Stockholm

Reykjavik

Iceland is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world. There is virtually no violent crime. The main safety concerns are weather-related — sudden storms, icy roads, and rogue waves on beaches. Police don't carry guns.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a safe city with low rates of violent crime against tourists. Petty theft (pickpocketing) can occur in tourist areas and on public transit, but is less common than in many European capitals. The city feels safe to walk around at all hours in central areas.

⭐ Ratings

Reykjavik5/5English Friendly5/5Stockholm

Reykjavik4/5Walkability✓5/5Stockholm

Reykjavik3/5Public Transit✓5/5Stockholm

Reykjavik3/5Food Scene✓4/5Stockholm

Reykjavik4/5Nightlife4/5Stockholm

Reykjavik3/5Cultural Sites✓4/5Stockholm

Reykjavik5/5✓Nature Access4/5Stockholm

Reykjavik5/5WiFi Reliability5/5Stockholm

🌤️ Weather

Reykjavik

Iceland's weather is famously unpredictable — "if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes." Mild for its latitude thanks to the Gulf Stream, but wind and rain are constant companions. Layering is essential.

Spring (Apr–May)2–10°C

Summer (Jun–Aug)8–15°C

Autumn (Sep–Oct)2–10°C

Winter (Nov–Mar)-3–3°C

Stockholm

Stockholm has a humid continental climate with long, dark winters and bright, mild summers. Daylight varies dramatically — from nearly 24 hours of light in midsummer to just 6 hours in December. The city is less cold than its latitude suggests, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.

Spring (April - May)3-16°C

Summer (June - August)12-25°C

Autumn (September - November)1-15°C

Winter (December - March)-5-3°C

🚇 Getting Around

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is very walkable — the downtown core is compact. There's a bus system (Straeto) but most visitors rent a car to explore beyond the city. There are no trains in Iceland.

Walkability: Downtown Reykjavik is very walkable and compact. Beyond the city center you'll need a car or bus.

Straeto City Buses — 490 ISK (~$3.50)

Rental Car — $60-150/day depending on vehicle and season

Walking — Free

Stockholm

Stockholm has excellent public transit run by SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) including metro, buses, trams, commuter rail, and ferries. An SL Access card or the SL app is essential. The city is also very walkable, and ferries are a scenic way to reach Djurgarden and the archipelago.

Walkability: Central Stockholm is very walkable. Gamla Stan is compact and car-free in parts. The walk from Gamla Stan through Sodermalm or across to Djurgarden is scenic and manageable. The waterfront promenades on Strandvagen and around City Hall are highlights.

Tunnelbana (T-bana) — 39 SEK ($3.65) single ticket; 165 SEK ($15.45) for 24-hour pass; 440 SEK ($41) for 72-hour pass

SL Buses — 39 SEK ($3.65) single ticket (same as T-bana)

SL Ferries & Waxholmsbolaget — SL ferry included in SL pass; Waxholmsbolaget 100-200 SEK ($9-19) to archipelago islands

The Verdict

Choose Reykjavik if...

you want the Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights chasing, Golden Circle geysers, glacier walks, and a Nordic capital smaller than most suburbs

Choose Stockholm if...

you want a 14-island archipelago capital — Gamla Stan, Vasa ship museum, ABBA Museum, Djurgården walks, and Nordic design cafés

Reykjavik

View Full Guide Book Tours

Stockholm

View Full Guide Book Tours