Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $98Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $153
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $111
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $38Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $16Cartagena $21
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: $37
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $21Cartagena $9.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Cartagena, we can see that Gothenburg is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Gothenburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Gothenburg or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In July, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Gothenburg is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.