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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Marseille? 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 Marseille?

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.

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France and is the largest Mediterranean port in the region. For visitors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse at France. It has many colorful markets, natural beauty such as the Calanques with its large, beautiful cliffs, and the old harbor area, which offers a glimpse at the areas working class history.

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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Marseille 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 Marseille is $158. 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 Marseille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Marseille $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Marseille $152
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Marseille

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Marseille? 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 Marseille


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 Marseille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Marseille $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

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

  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $145
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $145
  • Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $505
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    $3.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

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

  • Transfert aéroport de Marseille -> Marseille centre/hôtels: $192
  • Transfert Aéroport Marseille vers : $225
  • Transfer from Marseille Provence Airport to Toulon Cruise Port: $117
  • Transfer from Marseille Airport to Train Station / Ports / Hotels: $164
  • Transfer between Marseille airport and Marseille city: $84
  • Transfer Marseille city center to Marseille Airport: $87
  • Transfer Marseille Airport to Marseille city center: $89
  • Transfer : $84
  • Taxi aéroport Marseille cassis transfer port Cruise: $150
  • Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $279
  • Private transfer by car: Marseille airport to / from Cassis-La Ciotat: $184
  • Private transfer by car: Marseille airport from or to Avignon: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Marseille?

Prices for flights to both Marseille 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
    Marseille $45

Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    $2.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Web-cooking workshop / French cuisine or French pastry: $35
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Marseille! (Cours Julien): $63
  • Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
  • Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $93
  • Sunset Apéro Food tour: $95
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $97
  • Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Marseille $41

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

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

  • 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
  • After Dark in A Guided Nightlife Tour: $263
  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
  • Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $918
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
  • Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
  • Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $113
  • Full Day Private Shore Tour in Gothenburg from Gothenburg Port: $283

Tours and Activities in Marseille

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

  • "Old Marseille" district tour and treasure hunt: $29
  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
  • 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $67
  • A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $180
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $642
  • All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide: $144
  • Beer tasting experience in Marseille: $43
  • Bookbinding experience in the Vieux Port: $93
  • Calanques National Park Guided Hiking Tour: $50
  • Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $112
  • Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $65
  • Canyoning Half Day Tour from La Ciotat : $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Marseille $29

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Marseille Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
  • Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
  • Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
  • New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $96
  • Delicious Food and Wine Tour: $117
  • Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $164
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164


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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Marseille, 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 Marseille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gothenburg or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Gothenburg is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Marseille 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Gothenburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Gothenburg is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marseille. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Marseille 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Marseille. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Marseille 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Marseille. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Marseille 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Marseille and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Marseille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)