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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela? 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 Santiago de Compostela?

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.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.

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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela is $97. 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 Santiago de Compostela in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Santiago de Compostela $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Santiago de Compostela $80
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Santiago de Compostela

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela? 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 Santiago de Compostela


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 Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Santiago de Compostela $41

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 Santiago de Compostela

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:

  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $91
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela Airport to City Center by Minivan: $91
  • Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
  • Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela?

Prices for flights to both Santiago de Compostela 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
    Santiago de Compostela $21

Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:


  • Raspberries
    $3.75
  • Ice Cream
    $2.14
  • Cookie
    $1.07
  • Kebab
    $7.77
  • Dinner & Tapas (for 2)
    $29
  • Tuna Empanada
    $3.75
  • Fruit Shake
    $3.75
  • Crepe
    $4.29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Santiago de Compostela $41

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 Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 5-day Private Tour Northern Spain (from Bilbao or Santiago): $5,294
  • Christmas Enchantment: Walking Tour in Compostela: $459
  • Complete Santiago Tour with tickets- Full experience in 4H: $48
  • Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
  • Exploration of Compostela Walking Tour for Families: $352
  • Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples: $352
  • Finisterre y Costa da Morte el tour más completo desde Santiago: $53
  • From Santiago: Finisterre Lighthouse Sunset Tour: $36
  • From Santiago: Fuciño do Porco Hiking Tour: $80
  • From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour: $59
  • From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra Tour & Boat Trip: $61
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña- Cruisers Only: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Santiago de Compostela $24

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:


  • 1 Pint Beer
    $2.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela

Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
  • Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $214


When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Santiago de Compostela is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Santiago de Compostela?

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 Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In July, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Santiago de Compostela, 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 Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Santiago de Compostela. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Gothenburg is much colder than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Santiago de Compostela. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Santiago de Compostela
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)