Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cardiff or Malmo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Malmo? 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 Malmo?
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.
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCardiff £156Malmo £65
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Malmo is £65. 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 Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Malmo £38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Malmo £76
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff or Malmo? 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 Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Malmo £6.34
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
-
Malmö Bus Card£15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo 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
-
Food Meals for one dayCardiff £44Malmo £20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Malmo £13
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 Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Malmo £28
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 Malmo, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cardiff Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Malmo?
Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Malmo, 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 Malmo?
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 Malmo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Malmo. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Cardiff is around the same temperature as Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malmo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Malmo. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in July than Malmo. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Malmo in the Autumn?
Both Malmo and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Cardiff is a little warmer than Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Cardiff. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Malmo. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Malmo in the Winter?
Both Malmo and Cardiff during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Malmo can be very cold. Cardiff can be very cold during winter. In January, Cardiff is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Malmo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Malmo. The spring months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Cardiff is much warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Malmo. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Malmo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.