Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Gothenburg or Amsterdam? 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.
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.
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $189. 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 Amsterdam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Amsterdam? 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.
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Amsterdam, 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.
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.
Both Amsterdam and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally around the same temperature as Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Amsterdam. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Gothenburg is cooler than Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Amsterdam. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Amsterdam and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
In April, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Gothenburg | Amsterdam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |