Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Salzburg $166
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $166. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Salzburg $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Salzburg $196
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Salzburg $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Salzburg Train Station Arrival Transfer: $109
- Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Car: $108
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
- Salzburg Airport SZG to Saalbach Hinterglemm Round Trip Transfer: $131
- Salzburg Airport SZG to Kitzbühel Arrival Private Transfer: $147
- Salzburg Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 $38Salzburg $44
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad$9.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Salzburg $32
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 Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- 2-Hour Private Salzburg City Highlights Tour: $272
- 3 hour private walking tour - Salzburg: $176
- 3-Night Salzburg Winter Package with City Highlights Tour: $240
- 3D Exclusive VR-Tour: $321
- 3D Unique VR-Tour: $29
- A day in the life of Salzburg - Private tour with a local: $230
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- Amphibious Splash Tour on the Water and on the Land in Salzburg: $45
- Austrian Lakes and Salzburg Private Tour from Vienna: $1,123
- Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with Amphibious Splash Tour: $94
- Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with River Cruise: $71
- Best of Salzburg 1-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour: $163
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Salzburg $28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer$3.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Salzburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
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 Salzburg in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Salzburg. Additionally, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Gothenburg is cooler than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Salzburg in the Autumn?
Both Salzburg and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Gothenburg is cooler than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Salzburg in the Winter?
Both Salzburg and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Salzburg in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Salzburg. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Gothenburg is much colder than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.