Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Gothenburg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Gothenburg?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesGothenburg Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $179Gothenburg $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $145. 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 Istanbul and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $83Gothenburg $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $166Gothenburg $92
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Gothenburg? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $39Gothenburg $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $90
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- VIP Transfer: $52
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $119
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $138
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $144
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $66Gothenburg $76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $43Gothenburg $18
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $180
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $26
- Digital Experience Museum Skip the Line Entry: $35
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $179
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $95
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $128
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $144
- Private Guided Istanbul Walking Tour: $170
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Self Guided Tour in Gothenburg: $3.58
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
- Headless Horseman in Self-Guided Ghost Tour Game: $8.63
- Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Admission Ticket: $15
- Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
- Gothenburg Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
- World of Volvo Exhibition Entry Ticket: $19
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $24
- Gothenburg Universeum Ticket - Aquarium, Science, Wildlife, Zoo: $25
- City Canal Sightseeing Cruise: $28
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $12Gothenburg $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210
Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:
- Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Gothenburg, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Gothenburg?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Gothenburg, 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 Istanbul or Gothenburg?
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 Istanbul or Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Gothenburg. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Istanbul is much warmer than Gothenburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Gothenburg. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Gothenburg averages at about -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In April, Istanbul is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 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.