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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Porto?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Porto? 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 Porto?

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.

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Porto 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 Porto is $135. 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 Porto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Porto $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Porto $138
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Porto

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Porto? 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 Porto


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 Porto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Porto $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

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

  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $505
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
  • Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $153
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $145
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $145
  • Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $120
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
  • Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Porto APT-HTL (OPO): $39
  • Transfer from Porto to the Douro Valley : $218
  • Transfer from Porto Airport to / from Gerês: $128
  • Transfer Train/Bus station Campanhã to Porto City: $23
  • Transfer Porto: $32
  • Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $27
  • Transfer From Porto To Lisbon: $283
  • Transfer Airport (OPO) - Porto Centro: $33
  • Tesla S Luxury Executive Porto Airport Transfer: $36
  • TRANSFER: AEROPORTO PORTO>VILA NOVA GAIA SEDAN: $48
  • Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $65
  • São Pedro to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)-Departure Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Porto?

Prices for flights to both Porto 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
    Porto $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto

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

  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Downtown Porto: $37
  • Tastiest Calories Food Tour: $48
  • Bolhão Market and Codfish Tasting Guided Food Tour: $52
  • Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $56
  • Porto Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $57
  • 3-Hour Food Tour: $68
  • Half-Day Food Tour: $68
  • Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $74
  • Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $74
  • Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: $77
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Porto $27

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 Porto

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.

  • 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $76
  • Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour: $2.60
  • 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $207
  • 1.5-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour Historic Porto: $26
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto Douro to Left bank: $63
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $81
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $79
  • 3-Hour Cano-Rafting Tour on the Paiva River: $49
  • 3-Hour Electric Porto Bike Tour: $49
  • 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Private Bike Tour Porto: $135
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour: Tiles of Porto: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Porto $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Porto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:

  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.56
  • Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $13
  • Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
  • Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $19
  • Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $19
  • Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
  • Pub Crawl with Shots and Drinking Games: $21
  • Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Rooftop Fado concert, Port wine tasting, Portuguese tart: $21
  • Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $22
  • Pub Crawl Porto: $23


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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Porto?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Porto. Furthermore, many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Gothenburg is cooler than Porto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Porto averages at about 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Porto. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Porto 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Porto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Porto. Additionally, many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Porto. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Porto 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Porto in the Winter?

Both Porto and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Gothenburg is much colder than Porto in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In January, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Porto. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Porto 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Porto in the Spring?

Both Porto and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than Porto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Porto averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Porto. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Porto 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Porto and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Porto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)