Which place is cheaper, Vienna or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Gothenburg or Vienna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Vienna? 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 Vienna?
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.
Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.
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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $97Vienna $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Vienna is $162. 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 Vienna in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40Vienna $100
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80Vienna $200
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Vienna
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Vienna? 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 Vienna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18Vienna $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $145
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $145
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $505
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:
-
Bus to Airport$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna
Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $122
- Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $125
- Private One-Way Transfer to Cesky Krumlov: $629
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Vienna Airport: $75
- Melk Abbey and Salzburg Trip with Private Transfer: $922
- Airport Transfer to/from Bratislava: $86
- Vienna to Prague - Private Transfer with 2 hours of Sightseeing: $273
- Vienna Private Transfer from Vienna city centre to Vienna Airport: $76
- Vienna Private Transfer from Vienna Airport to City centre: $76
- Vienna Private Airport Transfer: $71
- Vienna International Airport Business Transfer to Vienna City: $141
- Vienna International Airport (VIE) to Vienna Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Vienna?
Prices for flights to both Vienna 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 dayGothenburg $38Vienna $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna
For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School: $43
- Naschmarkt Food Tour: $64
- Vienna Naschmarket Food Tour: $65
- Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner With Folk Music: $68
- Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner with Folk Music: $70
- Naschmarkt Guided Food Tour: $74
- Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise With Music and Dinner: $74
- 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise: $76
- Traditional Dinner Show at the Wiener Rathauskeller: $84
- Kursalon New Year's Day Concert with optional Dinner: $87
- Schnitzel cooking class with Nicole: $98
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $15Vienna $41
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
- After Dark in A Guided Nightlife Tour: $263
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
- Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $918
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $113
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Gothenburg from Gothenburg Port: $283
Tours and Activities in Vienna
For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private themed Tour of the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum):"The Saviour, the Ruler, and Simply a Beauty: Women in Art": $164
- "Girls just want to have Wine" - TUK TUK Sightseeing Tour: $152
- "The Third Man" Film Location Tour: $28
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Vienna with Photography: $98
- 2-Hour Alpine Private Hiking Tour along Luckerte Wand Mountain from Vienna: $168
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour Helenental Castles Hike from Vienna: $168
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour to Meet History at Braunsberg Mountain from Vienna: $168
- 2-hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour on Seekopf Mountain, Wachau Valley from Vienna: $168
- 3 hour private walking tour - Vienna: $138
- 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour to historic places around Spitz in Wachau Valley: $252
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Vienna: $164
- 3-Hour Walking Tour of Vienna Central Cemetery: $320
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $20Vienna $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna
Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Vienna: $16
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $16
- City Center Pub Crawl: $27
- Local Pub Crawl Vienna: $27
- Wine Tasting at Traditional Cellar: $34
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Private Wine Cellar: $39
- Viennese Wine Tasting in a Private Hidden Wine Cellar: $39
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace: $48
- Austrian Wine Tasting Experience: $63
- Vienna Historical Highlight City Tour + Wine Tasting: $74
- Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace Entry & Wine Tasting: $82
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Vienna?
Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Vienna, 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 Vienna?
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 Vienna in the Summer?
Both Vienna and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Gothenburg is generally cooler than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Vienna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Vienna in the Autumn?
Both Vienna and Gothenburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Gothenburg is cooler than Vienna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Vienna 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Vienna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Vienna. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Vienna can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Vienna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Vienna averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Vienna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Vienna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Vienna. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Vienna. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Vienna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Vienna and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Vienna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.