Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Manchester?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manchester or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Gothenburg can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manchester or Gothenburg?
Manchester
Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.
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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManchester £184Gothenburg £78
The average daily cost (per person) in Manchester is £184, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is £78. 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 Manchester and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManchester £71Gothenburg £32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManchester £142Gothenburg £64
Compare Hotels in Manchester and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Manchester 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: Manchester Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manchester £19Gothenburg £15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:
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Rail to Airport£11
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Parking in Manchester£3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester
Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Manchester: $8.12
- Private Transfer from Worsley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $60
- Private Transfer from Walkden to Manchester Airport (MAN): $65
- Private Transfer from Trafford Park to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford Quays to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Rochdale to Manchester Airport (MAN): $88
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Wrexham: $233
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Todmorden: $113
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Stoke on Trent: $115
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Stockton Heath: $65
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Stockport: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $505
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $174
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $153
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $145
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $145
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $120
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Manchester or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Manchester 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 dayManchester £55Gothenburg £31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester
For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Hard Rock Cafe Manchester with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $35
- Private Italian Dinner with a Romantic Night Experience: $63
- 2 Hours Sicilian Wine Tasting and Dinner at Manchester: $76
- Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $87
- Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $89
- 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
- Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manchester £30Gothenburg £12
Tours and Activities in Manchester
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.
- SEA LIFE Manchester Admission Ticket: $21
- 3-Hour Manchester Shopping Tour with a Stylist: $119
- 3-day Yorkshire Dales and Peak District Tour from Manchester: $522
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Manchester: $21
- Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Manchester: $51
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $235
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $463
- Chatsworth and Peak District Small-Group Tour from Manchester: $74
- Christmas Charms of Manchester – Private Walking Tour: $566
- City River Tour: $15
- Craft Beer Tour around Manchester: $51
- Craft Brews of Manchester – A Private Beer Tour: $666
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: $918
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $113
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Gothenburg from Gothenburg Port: $283
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManchester £9.90Gothenburg £16
Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
- Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Gothenburg, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Gothenburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manchester Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manchester or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Gothenburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Gothenburg. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gothenburg. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 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 JulyManchester 16°C (62°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Gothenburg. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Manchester is a little warmer than Gothenburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Gothenburg. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 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 OctoberManchester 11°C (52°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Gothenburg in the Winter?
Both Gothenburg and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Gothenburg averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 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 JanuaryManchester 4°C (39°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city.
In April, Manchester is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Gothenburg. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets more rain in April than Gothenburg. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 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 AprilManchester 8°C (46°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Manchester
| Manchester | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 78 mm (3.1 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.