Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $98Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Philadelphia $28
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: $146
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport TRD to Are Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $230
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg Airport (GOT) to Goteborg Port: $50
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $65
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $38Philadelphia $49
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $16Philadelphia $28
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
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
- City Kayak Tour: $60
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
- Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $926
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $65
- Fascinating Gothenburg Walking Tour for Couples: $257
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $114
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Ben Franklin Yacht Brunch Cruise with Buffet: $65
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $558
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
- Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Private Walking Tour: $250
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day): $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $21Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
Both Philadelphia and Gothenburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Gothenburg is much colder than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Philadelphia. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Philadelphia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Philadelphia. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
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.