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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Lillehammer?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Lillehammer? 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 Lillehammer?

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.

Lillehammer

Most people know the name Lillehammer because it is the city that hosted the 1994 Olympics. While it's obviously a beautiful travel destination during the winter months when it's covered in snow and winter sport opportunities are abundant, it is also a lovely travel destination in the summer. It's a surprisingly small town with a population of around 25,000. It's streets are lined with quaint, wooden houses that date back to the 19th century. The town is located on the banks of Lake Mjosa. There's a nice shopping street that's called Storgata and cuts through the middle of the old town. It is pedestrian only, giving it a charming atmosphere and making it an enjoyable place to walk around. The town also has nice galleries and museums that are worth a visit.

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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer is $102. 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 Lillehammer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Lillehammer $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Lillehammer $122
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Lillehammer

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Lillehammer? 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 Lillehammer


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 Lillehammer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Lillehammer $3.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $120
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $153
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Lillehammer?

Prices for flights to both Lillehammer 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
    Lillehammer $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Lillehammer $16

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $9.37
  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
  • Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
  • Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $30
  • Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
  • Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
  • Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $34
  • Archipelago cruise with guide: $36

Tours and Activities in Lillehammer

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

  • Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, Lillehammer. Entry Ticket: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Lillehammer $12


When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Lillehammer, we can see that Lillehammer is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Lillehammer Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Lillehammer?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Lillehammer. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Lillehammer, 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.