Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Diego? 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $98San Diego $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18San Diego $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport TRD to Are Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $230
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
- Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $153
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $146
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $111
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in San Diego HTL-APT(SAN): $47
- Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Downtown to San Diego Airport (SAN): $68
- Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Downtown: $68
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $241
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $121
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- San Diego Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Diego: $70
- San Diego Airport - Private Round Trip Transfer: $70
- San Diego Airport (SAN): Private Transfer to San Diego: $190
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $38San Diego $45
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
- Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $103
- Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
- San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $16San Diego $48
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 San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $24
- "Drink, Ride, Sing, & Dance!" Bar Tour (4 bars included): $33
- 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
- 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
- 1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego: $35
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 1Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
- 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Balboa Park Puzzling Adventure: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $21San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $133
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and San Diego. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as San Diego. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
Gothenburg is much colder than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.