A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gothenburg vs. Cork for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gothenburg or Cork?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Gothenburg or Cork? 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 Cork?

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.

Cork

Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Cork or Gothenburg?

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 Cork is $108. 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 Cork in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Cork $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Cork $128
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Cork

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Cork? 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.

Hotels in Gothenburg


Hotels in Cork


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 Cork Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Cork $17

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
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
  • Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Cork?

Prices for flights to both Cork 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Gothenburg $38
    Cork $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.

  • Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
  • Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
  • Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Cork $9.95

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 Cork

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:

  • Blarney Castle Tour from Cork including Cobh: $60
  • Cliffs of Moher Day Tour from Including The Wild Altanic Way: $53
  • Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork: $52
  • Coastal Foraging and Folklore Tour: $55
  • Cork City Cycle Tour - Experience the beautiful and historic City by bike: $51
  • Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
  • Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $128
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $142
  • Cork Delicious Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65
  • Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Cork Holiday Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Cork $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cork

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:

  • Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
  • Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
  • Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
  • Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
  • Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
  • Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
  • Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
  • Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254


When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Cork, we can see that Cork 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 Cork Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Cork?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Cork, 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 Cork?

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 Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Cork. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Cork. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Cork. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Cork 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Cork. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Cork. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Cork 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Cork in the Winter?

Both Cork and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

The weather in Gothenburg can be very cold. Gothenburg is much colder than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Cork. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

Cork gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Cork 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Cork in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Cork. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than Cork. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Cork averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Cork during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Cork. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Cork 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Cork and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Cork
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 7°C (45°F) 101 mm (4 in)