Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Athens?
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 Athens or Gothenburg?
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 Athens and Gothenburg. 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: Athens or Gothenburg?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesGothenburg Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Gothenburg €121
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is €121. 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 Athens and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Gothenburg €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Gothenburg €76
Compare Hotels in Athens and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Gothenburg? 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Gothenburg €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Rafina Port: $229
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $262
- Transfers and Guided Tours in all over Greece, sightseeing and Private hire!!: $103
- Transfer services from/to Athens Airport: $110
- Transfer in Athens: $60
- Transfer from or to Athens Airport: $97
- Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens hotel or Glyfada Riviera hotel: $114
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Vouliagmeni: $109
- Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Athens City Center: $45
- Transfer Athens Airport to Piraeus Port or Cruise Terminal: $94
- Transfer ATHENS CITY CENTER to/from RAFINA PORT: $107
- Transfer ATHENS CITY CENTER to/from ATHENS COAST: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $206
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $163
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $130
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $119
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $110
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $85
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $76
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $16
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Gothenburg €64
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $48
- Classic Athens Food Tour with Local Drink & Market Visit: $54
- Cooking Class & Meal at a Roof Garden in Athens: $56
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $64
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $65
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $67
- Acropolis Food Tour with a Local Friend: $74
- Athens Traditional Food Tour: $78
- Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $80
- Around Greece in 5 Dishes: Dinner, Theater & Music: $82
- Feast on LGBTQ+ Walking Food Tour: $82
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 26+ Tastings: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Gothenburg €15
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $206
- "All Day Tour Athens & Corinth:Highlights & Path of Apostle Paul": $295
- "All day tour of Athens-8h:Exploring its most popular landmarks": $249
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $171
- "Delphi Full-Day Tour: Ancient Oracle and the Heart of the Earth": $295
- "Discover Poros from A Scenic Island Tour": $295
- "St. Paul’s Church & Greek Olive Oil Experience”: $194
- 1 Day Hymettus Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $171
- 1 Day Parnitha Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $171
- 2 days Spanish guided tour in Delphi and Meteora: $286
- 2-Day Delphi & Meteora Tour from Athens with Hotel & Guided Tour: $263
- 2-Day Delphi and Meteora Tour from Athens: $237
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 24h Gothenburg Hop On-Hop Off Boat Tour: $36
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Bus and Boat: $52
- Archipelago Tour with Guide in Gothenburg: $44
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $62
- City Kayak Tour: $60
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $76
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
- Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $581
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $37
- Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Gothenburg €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $21
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $22
- Athens Olive Oil and Herbs Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $23
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $36
- Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl w/ Acropolis Views & Party: $40
- Greek Wine Tasting and Pairing in Chalandri: $46
- Athens Small Group Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $51
- Athens Wine Tasting and Wine tour at with Castle Visit: $56
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $56
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting: $56
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $56
- Athens bar crawl: $57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Gothenburg, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Gothenburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Gothenburg?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Gothenburg, 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 Athens or Gothenburg?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Athens or Gothenburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Gothenburg. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Athens is much warmer than Gothenburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Athens or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 9°C (47°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Gothenburg. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Athens or Gothenburg in the Winter?
Both Gothenburg and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Athens usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Athens or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Athens is much warmer than Gothenburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Gothenburg. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Athens
| Athens | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 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.