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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Dusseldorf?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Dusseldorf? 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 Dusseldorf?

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.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a city in western Germany divided by the Rhine River, with its Altstadt (Old Town) on the east bank and modern commercial areas to the west. Dusseldorf is a university town and a center of art and fashion. This old electoral capital is also a city of wide streets lined by elegant shops, with a ring of parks and gardens encircling its vibrant downtown area. As an important cultural center, Dusseldorf has dozens of museums and in excess of 100 art galleries encompassing everything from internationally renowned facilities, such as the impressive Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia, to the smaller installations found in the city's trendy Konigsallee area. In the Altstadt, St. Lambertus Church and Schlossturm (Castle Tower) both date to the 13th century. Dusseldorf impresses with boundary-pushing architecture, lively nightlife, and an art scene to rival many higher-profile cities. It's a posh and modern city that likes to have a good time with bar-hopping around the Altstadt, the historical quarter along the Rhine. These tourist attractions, along with the city's location on the Rhine and its numerous wide squares and wonderful riverside walkways, make it a particularly pleasant place to spend time.

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 Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf is $198. 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 Dusseldorf in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Dusseldorf $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Dusseldorf $204
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Dusseldorf

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Dusseldorf? 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 Dusseldorf


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 Dusseldorf Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Dusseldorf $1.74

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 Dusseldorf

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dusseldorf:

  • Dusseldorf Arrival Private Transfers from Airport DUS to Dusseldorf: $73
  • Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Dusseldorf to Airport DUS in Luxury Car: $86
  • Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Luxury Van: $77
  • Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Luxury Car: $86
  • Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Business Car: $73
  • Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) to Dusseldorf - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Train Station or Port by Car: $92

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Dusseldorf?

Prices for flights to both Dusseldorf 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
    Dusseldorf $82

Typical Food Prices in Dusseldorf

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dusseldorf:


  • Salami
    $2.13
  • Nutella
    $1.07
  • Yogurt
    $1.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dusseldorf

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

  • Culinary Flingern – The Food Tour: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Dusseldorf $27

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 Dusseldorf

Here are a few actual costs in Dusseldorf for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Beer tour with tasting in Dusseldorf: $34
  • Best Intro Tour of Dusseldorf with a Local: $141
  • City game scavenger hunt Düsseldorf - independent city tour I discovery tour: $44
  • City game scavenger hunt Duisburg - independent city tour I discovery tour: $44
  • Düsseldorf 2-Hour Evening Cruise: $27
  • Düsseldorf Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
  • Düsseldorf Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Düsseldorf Segway Rhein Tour: Rhine River Experience: $86
  • Düsseldorf Segway Tour: Classical City Experience: $86
  • Düsseldorf Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Düsseldorf Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $19
  • Dusseldorf : Private Walking tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Dusseldorf $25

Typical Alcohol Prices in Dusseldorf

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Dusseldorf are as follows:


  • Night Out Drinking
    $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Dusseldorf

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Dusseldorf:

  • Brewery Tour Düsseldorf in English (inc. 3 beer): $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Dusseldorf, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Dusseldorf?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf in the Summer?

Both Dusseldorf and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Gothenburg is cooler than Dusseldorf. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Dusseldorf 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Dusseldorf. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.

In October, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Dusseldorf during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Dusseldorf 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Dusseldorf in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Dusseldorf. Additionally, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dusseldorf. It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. Gothenburg is much colder than Dusseldorf in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Dusseldorf 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Dusseldorf in the Spring?

Both Dusseldorf and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Dusseldorf during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Dusseldorf. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Dusseldorf
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (38°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (44°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 4°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)