Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Alesund?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Alesund? 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: Gothenburg or Alesund?
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Alesund $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $99. 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 Gothenburg and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Alesund $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Alesund $106
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Alesund? 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Alesund $25
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
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Port to Gothenburg Airport (GOT): $50
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg Airport (GOT) to Goteborg Port: $50
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $64
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $94
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $101
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Tour from Alesund to Trollstigen Land of Trolls with Transfer: $149
- Private Transfer from Molde Cruise Port to Alesund City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Alesund hotels to Geiranger Cruise Port: $185
- Private Transfer from Alesund city hotels to Maloy Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Molde Port: $37
- Private Transfer from Alesund Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund Cruise Port to Alesund City Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Alesund Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Maloy Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Geiranger Port: $185
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $87
- Private Transfer To and From Airport in Ålesund: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Gothenburg 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 dayGothenburg $38Alesund $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Alesund $16
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $9.26
- 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: $31
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
- Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
- Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund Round Trip – A Great Kayak Adventure: $186
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $101
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $42
- 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Audio-Guided Tour in Alesund : $42
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $111
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $125
- City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $45
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $139
- Fjord Paddle in Hellesylt - Half Day Kayaking Tour: $121
- Fjordcruise Ålesund Geirangerfjord T/R: $163
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $55
- Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Alesund $12
When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Alesund?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Alesund, 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 Gothenburg or Alesund?
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 Gothenburg or Alesund in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Alesund. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.
In the summer, Gothenburg is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Alesund in the Autumn?
Both Alesund and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Gothenburg is generally around the same temperature as Alesund. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Alesund in the Winter?
Both Alesund and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Alesund in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Alesund. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Alesund can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Gothenburg is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Alesund. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 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.