Which place is cheaper, Bruges or Malmo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Malmo or Bruges?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Bruges, 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: Malmo or Bruges?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $81Bruges $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, while the average daily cost in Bruges is $132. 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 Malmo and Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $48Bruges $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $96Bruges $126
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Malmo or Bruges? 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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $7.88Bruges $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
-
Malmö Bus Card$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
-
Five Day Bus Pass$16
-
Bike Rental for Day$8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Shuttle Bruges <-> Disneyland Paris (1 to 8 SEATS): $291
- Transfer Ghent <-> Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Transfer Bruges <-> Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 - 8 Places): $229
- Shuttle Transfer Bruges <-> Paris (1 to 8 PLACES): $291
- PrivateTransfer from Zeebrugge Port to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST): $86
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels : $143
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels : $33
- Private Transfer from ZeeBrugge or Bruges to Antwerp By Luxury car: $163
- Private Transfer from Bruges to Brussels By Business car: $152
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $33
- Private Direct Transfer From Bruges to Amsterdam: $274
- Brussels airport transfer (BRU) <-> from or to Bruges (3 pax sedan): $261
Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges and Malmo 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 dayMalmo $25Bruges $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
-
Cup of Tea$2.14
-
Sandwich for Lunch$3.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $133
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $142
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malmo $16Bruges $16
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Groeninge Museum Entrance$8.57
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- "Essential Brugge" Photo Tour (3hr private city tour & workshop): $273
- "Hidden Brugge" Photo Tour (2hr open city tour & workshop): $76
- "Shades of Brugge" Photo Tour (3hr private city tour & workshop): $273
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Bruges: $229
- BRYGGJA ROMANTICA - 3 Hour Romantic Tour in Bruges: $55
- Beery Bruges Tasting Tour: $58
- Bike Your Way Through Bruges A Fun & Active Sightseeing Adventure: $44
- Breathtaking Bruges - Private Walking Tour: $152
- Bruges : Highlights & Hidden gems Walking Tour: $80
- Bruges Beer Tour with chocolate pairing by a young local: $60
- Bruges Beer and Chocolate Walking Tour: $95
- Bruges Guided Walking Tour: Stories, Mysteries and People: $3.21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $35Bruges $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Bruges
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
- Bruges Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $17
- Private: Discover Bruges beers & brewery with chocolate pairing by a young local: $191
- Beer walking tour with visit Brewery Bourgogne de Flandres: $642
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malmo and Bruges, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges than you might in Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malmo Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Bruges?
Malmo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Malmo and Bruges, 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 Malmo or Bruges?
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 Malmo or Bruges in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Bruges. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Malmo is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malmo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malmo usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malmo usually receives less rain than Bruges. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Bruges 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bruges in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Bruges. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Malmo is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 10°C (50°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Bruges 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bruges in the Winter?
Both Bruges and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Malmo can be very cold during winter. Malmo is much colder than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malmo usually receives less rain than Bruges. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Bruges 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bruges in the Spring?
Both Bruges and Malmo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.
In the spring, Malmo is much colder than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malmo in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the spring, Malmo often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in April than Bruges. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Bruges 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Bruges and Malmo
| Malmo | Bruges | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.