Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Bilbao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Bilbao? 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 Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Bilbao $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is $147. 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 Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Bilbao $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Bilbao $156
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Bilbao? 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 and Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Bilbao $28
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
- Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
- Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Vitoria city: $84
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to San Sebastian: $291
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Pamplona: $229
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño: $245
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Laguardia town: $199
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Elciego town: $199
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $153
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to San Sebastian Airport: $291
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao 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 $38Bilbao $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Bilbao $31
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
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- PRIVATE San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao: $290
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $81
- 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $197
- 3-day Bilbao Bike Tour and Guggenheim Museum Ticket: $257
- Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $384
- BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $36
- Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,144
- Bike tour with Pintxos & Drinks in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao Seaside): $60
- Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum Private Walking Tour with guide: $286
- Bilbao & Guggenheim Private Walking Tour from Hotel/Center: $279
- Bilbao - Private Historic walking tour: $374
- Bilbao 3-Day Package: Guggenheim, Hotel Stay and Bike Tour: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Bilbao $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
- Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Bilbao?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?
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 Bilbao in the Summer?
Both Bilbao and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Bilbao 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Bilbao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Bilbao. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
Gothenburg is much colder than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Bilbao 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Bilbao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Bilbao. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.
It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Bilbao 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Bilbao in the Spring?
Both Bilbao and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Bilbao 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bilbao and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Bilbao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.