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

Should you visit Malmo or Potsdam?

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

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

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.

Potsdam

Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Potsdam 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 Potsdam is $119. 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 Potsdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malmo $48
    Potsdam $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malmo $96
    Potsdam $128
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Potsdam

Looking for a hotel in Malmo or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam


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 Potsdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malmo $7.88
    Potsdam $30
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 Potsdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:

  • Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
  • Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Potsdam?

Prices for flights to both Potsdam 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
    Potsdam $33

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
    Potsdam $27

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 Potsdam

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

  • 2 hours: Private Harbor and Castle Sightseeing Cruise: $364
  • 4 hours Private Romantic River Boat Cruise with Wine: $620
  • 4h Private Havelland Discovery Boat Cruise with Skipper: $620
  • 8h: Private Potsdam Islands Sightseeing Boat Cruise: $1,358
  • AbenteuerPark Adventure Climbing in the Trees: $31
  • Babelsberg Park Walking Tour: $152
  • Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $502
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $257
  • City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malmo $35
    Potsdam $7.18


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


Which is Bigger, Malmo or Potsdam?

Malmo has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Malmo and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam in the Summer?

Both Potsdam and Malmo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Malmo is cooler than Potsdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malmo. In the summer, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Potsdam. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Malmo 17°C (62°F) 
    Potsdam 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Potsdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Potsdam. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

In the autumn, Malmo is around the same temperature as Potsdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malmo in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Potsdam averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malmo usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Malmo 10°C (50°F) 
    Potsdam 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Potsdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Potsdam. Also, many travelers come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Potsdam. It's quite cold in Malmo in the winter. In January, Malmo is generally much warmer than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 0°C (32°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets less rain in January than Potsdam. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Malmo 0°C (32°F) 
    Potsdam -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Potsdam in the Spring?

Both Potsdam and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Malmo is much colder than Potsdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Malmo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malmo usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Malmo 5°C (42°F) 
    Potsdam 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Malmo

Malmo Potsdam
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) -0°C (31°F) 44 mm (1.7 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) 5°C (40°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (65°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)