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

Should you visit Johannesburg or Gothenburg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Gothenburg can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Johannesburg or Gothenburg?

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.

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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Johannesburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $98. 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 Johannesburg and Gothenburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $55
    Gothenburg $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $110
    Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Gothenburg

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg 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.

Hotels in Johannesburg


Hotels in Gothenburg


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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Gothenburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Suncity Transfer: $194
  • Shuttle Transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Hazyview: $66
  • Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $118
  • Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $71
  • Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $72
  • Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Car: $103
  • Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $61
  • Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $72
  • Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Car: $103
  • Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $147
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $221
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $164

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
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg Airport (GOT) to Goteborg Port: $50
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $65
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $65
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Gothenburg?

Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Johannesburg 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
    Johannesburg $17
    Gothenburg $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.

  • Maboneng Street Art and Street Food Tour: $41
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $21
    Gothenburg $16

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:

  • Golf Tour, Sun City , Gary Player Course - Rated the Best: $227
  • Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $122
  • Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $194
  • Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $96
  • Soweto half day tour including Mandela House.Private transport: $72
  • (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
  • 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,701
  • 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $4,052
  • 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $807
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $832
  • 4-Day Private Tour Johannesburg and Pretoria - See everything in 4 days : $214
  • 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,735

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: $37
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.73
    Gothenburg $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.23
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
  • Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226


When comparing the travel costs between Johannesburg and Gothenburg, we can see that Gothenburg 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. Even though Johannesburg is in Africa and Gothenburg is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Gothenburg?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg 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.