Which place is cheaper, Utrecht or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Utrecht?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht?
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.
Utrecht
Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Utrecht $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Utrecht 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 Utrecht in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Utrecht $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Utrecht $228
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Utrecht
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Utrecht $24
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 Utrecht
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15
- Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
- Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Utrecht?
Prices for flights to both Utrecht 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 $38Utrecht $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.
- City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
- Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $70
- Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $71
- Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $71
- Guided Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Utrecht $47
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 Utrecht
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:
- 2 Hours Utrecht Family Walking Tour: $163
- Captivating Utrecht Family Walking Tour: $321
- Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
- Christmas Joy in Utrecht Walking Tour: $448
- Christmas Joy in Utrecht Walking Tour: $210
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
- Discover Utrecht with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour: $27
- Discover Utrecht’s Zocherpark in this Outside Escape game tour!: $27
- Discover Utrecht’s city center in this Outside Escape game tour!: $22
- Explore Gems of Utrecht Walking Tour for Couples: $341
- Explore Gems of Utrecht Walking Tour for Couples: $174
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Utrecht $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:
- Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Utrecht, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Utrecht?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Utrecht. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Utrecht, 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 Utrecht?
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 Utrecht in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Utrecht. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.
In the summer, Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Utrecht. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Utrecht averages at about 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets more sunshine than Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 194 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Utrecht 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Utrecht in the Autumn?
Both Utrecht and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Utrecht for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Utrecht. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Utrecht fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Utrecht during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Utrecht 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Utrecht in the Winter?
Both Utrecht and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Utrecht in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Utrecht can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is much colder than Utrecht in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Utrecht fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 38 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Utrecht 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Utrecht in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Utrecht. Also, most visitors come to Utrecht for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Gothenburg is cooler than Utrecht. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Utrecht averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Utrecht during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Utrecht 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Utrecht and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Utrecht | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.