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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Ghent?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Ghent? 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 Ghent?

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.

Ghent

Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.

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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.


Which place is cheaper, Ghent 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 Ghent is $127. 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 Ghent in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Ghent $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Ghent $154
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Ghent

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Ghent? 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 Ghent


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 Ghent Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Ghent $20

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ghent

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:

  • Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
  • Ostend <-> Luxembourg transfer (1 to 8 places): $233
  • Ghent <-> Amsterdam Shuttle Transfer (1 to 8 Seats): $229
  • Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Luxury Van: $166
  • Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Business Car: $147

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Ghent?

Prices for flights to both Ghent 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
    Ghent $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent

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

  • Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
  • Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Ghent $9.26

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 Ghent

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

  • Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $49
  • Christmas Experience in Ghent - Walking Tour: $491
  • Discover Ghent with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $22
  • Experience Christmas in Mons - Walking Tour: $247
  • Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $187
  • Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $384
  • From Brussels: Private Tour of Bruges, Ghent and Flanders: $620
  • Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.26
  • Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour: $49
  • Ghent Beer and Sightseeing Adventure: $97
  • Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track: $52
  • Ghent City Highlights Walking Tour with Light Meal: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Ghent $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Ghent

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:

  • Ghent Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local: $245


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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Ghent?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

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 Ghent in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Ghent. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ghent. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Ghent 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

In October, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Ghent. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Ghent 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. Gothenburg is much colder than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ghent. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Ghent 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Ghent. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Ghent 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Ghent and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Ghent
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)