Which place is cheaper, Dresden or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Dresden?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Dresden? 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 Dresden?
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.
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Dresden $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Dresden is $145. 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 Dresden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Dresden $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Dresden $132
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Dresden
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Dresden? 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 Dresden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Dresden $11
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 Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
- Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
- Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
- One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Dresden?
Prices for flights to both Dresden 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 $38Dresden $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dresden
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
- Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
- Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Dresden $10
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 Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour GDR Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
- 2 Hour Historical Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
- 2 day ticket Grand City Tour Hop on Hop off 22 stops: $24
- 3H Private Walking Tour: Dresden city centre and Old Masters Painting Gallery: $300
- Astonishing Dresden - Guided Walking Tour: $427
- Bad Schandau Scooter Tour in Saxon, Switzerland: $52
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden - Hiking Tour: $171
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Fantasy Tour: $171
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Winter Tour: $171
- Bicycle tour of Dresden: $32
- Big Sightseeing Tour in Dresden with Liveguide: $21
- Big city tour hop on hop off 22 stops: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Dresden $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
- Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
- Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Dresden, we can see that Dresden 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden 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 Dresden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Dresden?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Dresden, 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 Dresden?
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 Dresden in the Summer?
Both Dresden and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.
Gothenburg is cooler than Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Dresden 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Dresden in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Dresden. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Gothenburg is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Dresden. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Dresden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Dresden in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Dresden. Additionally, many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Dresden 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Dresden in the Spring?
Both Dresden and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.
Gothenburg is much colder than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Dresden. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Dresden 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Dresden and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Dresden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.