Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Kiel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Kiel? 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 Kiel?
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.
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
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 $97Kiel $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. 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 Kiel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Kiel $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Kiel
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Kiel? 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 Kiel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Kiel $58
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 Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Kiel?
Prices for flights to both Kiel 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 $38Kiel $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Kiel $20
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 Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
- Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
- Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
- Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
- Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
- Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Kiel $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Kiel?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Kiel, 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 Kiel?
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 Kiel in the Summer?
Both Kiel and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
In July, Gothenburg is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Kiel 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Kiel in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Kiel. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Gothenburg is cooler than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Kiel. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Kiel 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Kiel in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kiel. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kiel 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)Kiel 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Kiel in the Spring?
Both Kiel and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Kiel. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Kiel 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Kiel and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Kiel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.