Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Hamburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg?
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.
Hamburg
Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.
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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Hamburg $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is $125. 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 Hamburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Hamburg $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Hamburg $116
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Hamburg
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Hamburg $31
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
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Short Distance Ubahn Ticket$1.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $83
- Round Trip Transfer Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City by van: $209
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $267
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $262
- Private transfer from Fuhlsbüttel Airport to Hamburg City Center: $114
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hannover with 2h of Sightseeing: $271
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hamburg Airport HAM Departure : $41
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $234
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Hotels to Bremerhaven Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg City Hotels: $51
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $38
- Private Transfer from Hamburg City to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Hamburg?
Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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 $38Hamburg $37
Typical Food Prices in Hamburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
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Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls$16
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Currywurst and Pommes Frites$5.36
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Donner Kebab and Coke$6.43
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Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer$16
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Donner Kebab Lunch$4.29
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Sandwich and Coffee Break$6.43
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Fish Sandwich from Fish Market$3.75
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Coffee and Donut$4.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
- St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
- Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
- Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
- St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Hamburg $42
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tower at St. Michael's Church$3.75
Tours and Activities in Hamburg
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hamburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $287
- Safari tour in St Pauli: $33
- "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $69
- "Hafengeburtstag Hamburg" 2024. Cruise&Sail from/to Wedel: $181
- "Highlights of Hamburg" Biketour: $39
- 1 Hour Kiez Speed Tour for Adults: $19
- 1-Day Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $20
- 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $71
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $93
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $75
- 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Hamburg $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
- Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
- Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
- Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
- Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
- Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg 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 Hamburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hamburg 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 Hamburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Hamburg?
Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?
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 Hamburg in the Summer?
Both Hamburg and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Hamburg 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Hamburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Hamburg. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Gothenburg is cooler than Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Hamburg 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Hamburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Hamburg. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Hamburg 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Hamburg in the Spring?
Both Hamburg and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.
Gothenburg is cooler than Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Hamburg 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Hamburg and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Hamburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.