Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Gothenburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cardiff or Gothenburg?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 dayCardiff £156Gothenburg £78
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is £78. 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 Cardiff and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Gothenburg £32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Gothenburg £64
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Gothenburg £15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $95
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $139
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $120
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $153
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Cardiff 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 dayCardiff £44Gothenburg £31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Gothenburg £12
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute Archery Experience in Llangollen: $19
- 30 Minute Axe Throwing Experience in Llangollen: $19
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Cardiff: $22
- Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen: $76
- Canyoning with Beezra Experiences in South Wales: $89
- Cardiff All in One Walking Tour: $62
- Cardiff Bay Boat Tour: $15
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay: Highlights Private Guided Tour: $187
- Cardiff Bay: Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $37
- Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour: $178
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 dayCardiff £13Gothenburg £16
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and Gothenburg, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Gothenburg in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Gothenburg. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 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 JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
Both Gothenburg and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.
In October, Cardiff is generally a little warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Cardiff. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 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 OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Gothenburg in the Winter?
Both Gothenburg and Cardiff during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. Cardiff is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Gothenburg in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Gothenburg. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cardiff is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 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 AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.