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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo?

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.

Sao Paulo

With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.

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-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gothenburg Prices
    Sweden Prices
    Sao Paulo Prices
    Brazil Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gothenburg $143
    Sao Paulo $63

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $143, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $63. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Sao Paulo $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo


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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Sao Paulo $6.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

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

  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $168
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $130
  • Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $123
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $110
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $79
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $76
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $16
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $123
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $87
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $87
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $100
  • Transfers Main airports in Sao Paulo: $63
  • Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $39
  • Transfer from GRU or CGH Airports to São Paulo City (vice-versa): $77
  • Transfer Viracopos Airport or Campinas City to airports in Sao Paulo: $141
  • Transfer VCP airport Viracopos GRU airport / Sao Paulo city: $128
  • Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $48
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $43
  • Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $75
    Sao Paulo $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gothenburg

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

  • Taysta's Food Tour i Göteborg: $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo

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

  • Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $73
  • Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
  • 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
  • São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
  • Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Sao Paulo $4.08

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $37
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Bus and Boat: $53
  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $46
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $64
  • City Kayak Tour: $60
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $38
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $76
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
  • Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $581
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $37
  • Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $122

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

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

  • 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions: $109
  • 5 Hours Private Full Day City Tour in Sao Paulo: $296
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $155
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $139
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $296
  • 6 Hour Buddhist Temple and Embu das Artes Tour – Art Galleries, Artisan Shops: $203
  • 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup: $175
  • 6-Hour Private Layover Tour in São Paulo from GRU & CGH Airports: $179
  • 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $207
  • 8 Hour Private Tour of Campos Do Jordão: $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $23
    Sao Paulo $3.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • Pub Crawl in Pinheiros: Explore the Nightlife of São Paulo: $35
  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Sao Paulo, we can see that Gothenburg is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg than you might in Sao Paulo.

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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Gothenburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

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

Gothenburg is much colder than Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Sao Paulo. Additionally, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Gothenburg is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)