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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Munich?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Munich? 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 Munich?

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.

Munich

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Munich or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, while the average daily cost in Munich is $197. 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 Munich in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Munich $105
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Munich $210
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Munich

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Munich? 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 Munich


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 Munich Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Munich $22

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: $132
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich

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


  • Single Zone Trip on Subway
    $2.70
  • Inner District Subway Day Pass
    $6.10
  • City transport day ticket
    $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Munich HTL-APT (MUC): $177
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Munich APT-HTL (MUC): $177
  • Transfer from Munich to Linz: Private daytrip with 2 hours for sightseeing : $232
  • Skip-the-line Nymphenburg Palace Guided Tour with Transfers: $246
  • Skip-the-line Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich with Transfers: $156
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Munich Central Station to Munich Airport: $16
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $16
  • Private transfer from Munich to Vilshofen or Vilshofen to Munich: $277
  • Private transfer from Munich to Salzburg or Salzburg to Munich: $251
  • Private transfer from Munich to Prague: $846
  • Private direct transfer from Munich Airport to Salzburg: $289
  • Private arrival transfer Munich Airport to Munich Hotels: $135

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Munich?

Prices for flights to both Munich 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 $76
    Munich $55

Typical Food Prices in Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:


  • Bratwurst
    $5.87
  • Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)
    $2.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich

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

  • Flavors of Bavaria: A Self Guided Food Tour in Munich: $20
  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $51
  • Culinary Haidhausen - The Food Tour: $52
  • 3-Hour Food Tour Through Schwabing in German: $63
  • 3-Hour Food Tour Through Haidhausen in GERMAN: $63
  • Munich Food Tour : True Bavarian Full Meal with Drinks: $70
  • Beer and Food Tour with Dinner & Oktoberfest Museum: $85
  • Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $87
  • Munich Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Bavarian Specialties: $110
  • Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Tastings, Beer & Pretzel: $115
  • The original horror dinner - a deliciously creepy comedy: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Munich $34

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

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

  • Private Self Guided Tour in Gothenburg: $3.58
  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
  • Headless Horseman in Self-Guided Ghost Tour Game: $8.63
  • Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Admission Ticket: $15
  • Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
  • Gothenburg Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
  • World of Volvo Exhibition Entry Ticket: $19
  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $24
  • Gothenburg Universeum Ticket - Aquarium, Science, Wildlife, Zoo: $25
  • City Canal Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $36

Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich

Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Schack Gallery Entrance
    $4.69
  • Munich Zoo Entrance
    $11
  • Pub Crawl Munich Tour
    $16
  • Neuschwanstein Castle (2)
    $28

Tours and Activities in Munich

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

  • Access A tour for blind and partially sighted people: $180
  • Munich Sightseeing Hopping with traditional delicacies: $25
  • Ride Through Munich on Shared Scooter Tour: $72
  • 11 Munich ghosts and haunted stories on a self-guided tour: $12
  • 11 Munich insider tips on your self-guided audio tour: $12
  • 2 Hours Best of München Sightseeings Tour: $81
  • 2 Hours VIP Private Segway Tour: $100
  • 2 hour Sights Guided E-Scooter Tour in Munich: $72
  • 2-Hour Segway Discovery Munich Night Tour: $102
  • 2-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Munich: $72
  • 5 Top Churches in Munich Private Walking Tour : $232
  • A Full-Day Walking Tour of Munich: $470

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $24
    Munich $43

Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg

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

  • Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66

Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:


  • Hofbrauhaus
    $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Munich

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

  • Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $31
  • Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $34
  • Private Pub Crawl with Free Beer and Shots: $35
  • English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $41
  • Guided tour and beer tasting in the middle of the Hadern brewery: $42
  • South Tyrolean specialties and wine tasting: $46
  • Old Town Beer and Pub Tour (4 beers): $65
  • Beer and Pub Tour with Tasting Portions: $69
  • Aschheim: Distillery Tour with Tasting and Buffet: $81
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $316
  • Private pub crawl with insider-guide & free shots: $317
  • Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $423


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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Gothenburg is cooler than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Munich. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Munich 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Munich. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Gothenburg is cooler than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Munich during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Munich. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Munich 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Munich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Munich. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Munich can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Munich. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Munich. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Munich. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Munich -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Munich during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Munich. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Munich 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Munich and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Munich
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (43°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 1°C (33°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)