Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Basel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Basel or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Gothenburg, 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: Basel or Gothenburg?
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBasel $236Gothenburg $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Basel is $236, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $97. 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 Basel and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBasel $143Gothenburg $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBasel $286Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Basel and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Basel 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: Basel Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Basel $45Gothenburg $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Round Trip Private Transfer From Basel EuroAirport to Feldberg: $87
- Private transfer from Basel to Strasbourg with a local driver: $233
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Lucerne with a local driver: $177
- Private Transfer: Basel Airport BSL to Zurich in Luxury Van: $261
- Private Transfer from Basel to Zurich with 3h Sightseeing Stops: $251
- Private Transfer From Basel To Bern With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $224
- Private One-way Transfer From Basel to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $186
- Private Direct Transfer from Basel to Zurich: $205
- ONE WAY: Basel Train Station (ZDH) to / from Basel transfer: $88
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Car: $157
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Basel or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Basel 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 dayBasel $61Gothenburg $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Basel $37Gothenburg $15
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Alpine Majesty: Basel to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Basel: $650
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Basel : Old Town Walking Tour: $107
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- Basel Adventure Tour - The city quiz: $37
- Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $27
- Basel City: Private guided Segway Tour: $196
- Basel Family Adventure: Exploring Historic & Artistic Gems: $543
- Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
- Basel History Tour for Groups: $328
- Basel Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
- Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
- Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
- Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBasel $33Gothenburg $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Meet People and Hidden Bars and Clubs: $33
- Pinot Noir & Pinot Wine Tour to Baden-Württemberg: $279
- Fantastic, full day, private wine tour to Alsace!: $285
- Half Day Private Cheese & Wine Tasting in Vineyard in Basel: $289
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Gothenburg, we can see that Basel 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Basel or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel or Gothenburg?
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 Basel or Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Basel is a little warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in July than Gothenburg. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBasel 21°C (70°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Basel or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Gothenburg. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Basel is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Basel usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Basel usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBasel 13°C (56°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Basel or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Gothenburg. The winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. Basel is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in January than Gothenburg. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBasel 3°C (37°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Basel or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
In the spring, Basel is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Basel usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBasel 12°C (53°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Basel
| Basel | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.