A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malmo vs. Kiel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malmo or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Malmo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malmo $48
    Kiel $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malmo $96
    Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Malmo or Kiel? 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 Malmo


Hotels in Kiel


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 Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malmo $7.88
    Kiel $58
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
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
  • Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118

Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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 day
    Malmo $25
    Kiel $41

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malmo $16
    Kiel $20

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
  • Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $58
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
  • Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
  • Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147

Tours and Activities in Kiel

Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malmo $35
    Kiel $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malmo and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Malmo or Kiel?

Malmo has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Malmo and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Malmo or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Malmo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Malmo is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malmo. In the summer, Malmo often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Malmo 17°C (62°F) 
    Kiel 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Kiel. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Malmo is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malmo in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Malmo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during autumn. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malmo usually receives less rain than Kiel. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Malmo 10°C (50°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Kiel. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Malmo can be very cold. In January, Malmo is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 0°C (32°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Malmo 0°C (32°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Malmo is cooler than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Malmo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malmo usually receives less rain than Kiel. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Malmo 5°C (42°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Malmo

Malmo Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)