Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Malmo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malmo or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo 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: Malmo or Gothenburg?
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.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, and The Best Camping Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $81Gothenburg $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $97. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $48Gothenburg $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $96Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Malmo 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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $7.88Gothenburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
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: $144
- 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: $504
- 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
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalmo $25Gothenburg $38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malmo $16Gothenburg $15
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
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: $778
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $9.26
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $35Gothenburg $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malmo and Gothenburg, we can see that Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo 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 Malmo or Gothenburg?
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 Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Malmo is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malmo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malmo. Malmo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malmo usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
Both Gothenburg and Malmo during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Malmo is generally a little warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 10°C (50°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Malmo often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in October than Gothenburg. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Gothenburg.
It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. The weather in Malmo can be very cold. Malmo is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malmo usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Gothenburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Gothenburg.
In the spring, Malmo is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malmo in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the spring, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in April than Gothenburg. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Malmo
| Malmo | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.