Which place is cheaper, Potsdam or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Potsdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam?
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.
Potsdam
Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!
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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Potsdam $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Potsdam is $119. 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 Potsdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Potsdam $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Potsdam $128
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Potsdam
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Potsdam $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $120
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $153
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
- Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
- Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
- Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Potsdam?
Prices for flights to both Potsdam 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 $38Potsdam $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Potsdam $27
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
- Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
- Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
- Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
Tours and Activities in Potsdam
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 hours: Private Harbor and Castle Sightseeing Cruise: $364
- 4 hours Private Romantic River Boat Cruise with Wine: $620
- 4h Private Havelland Discovery Boat Cruise with Skipper: $620
- 8h: Private Potsdam Islands Sightseeing Boat Cruise: $1,358
- AbenteuerPark Adventure Climbing in the Trees: $31
- Babelsberg Park Walking Tour: $152
- Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $502
- Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $257
- City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Potsdam $7.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Potsdam, we can see that Potsdam 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 Potsdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Potsdam 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 Potsdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Potsdam?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?
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 Potsdam in the Summer?
Both Potsdam and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Potsdam, 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 Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Potsdam 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Potsdam in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Potsdam. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Gothenburg is cooler than Potsdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Potsdam 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Potsdam in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Potsdam. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Potsdam can be very cold during winter. Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Potsdam averages at about -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Potsdam -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Potsdam in the Spring?
Both Potsdam and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Potsdam. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Potsdam 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Potsdam and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Potsdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
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.