A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Gothenburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Melbourne or Gothenburg?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Gothenburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Melbourne or Gothenburg?

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Melbourne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $195, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $145. 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 Melbourne and Gothenburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melbourne $119
    Gothenburg $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melbourne $238
    Gothenburg $92
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Gothenburg

Looking for a hotel in Melbourne 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.

Hotels in Melbourne


Hotels in Gothenburg


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: Melbourne Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melbourne $20
    Gothenburg $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $10
  • Tram Ride
    $2.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $69
  • Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to City Centre/St Kilda/Hawthorne: $45
  • Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD/ Other Suburbs: $96
  • Starways Chauffeur - Airport Transfer & Chauffeurs in Melbourne: $91
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $82
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $82
  • Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $80
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $87
  • Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $129
  • Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $201
  • Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81

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: $71
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Gothenburg?

Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Melbourne 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
    Melbourne $53
    Gothenburg $76
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.62
  • Pizza
    $4.58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
  • Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
  • Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
  • Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
  • Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
  • Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
  • Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
  • Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
  • Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melbourne $27
    Gothenburg $18

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

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

  • English Melbourne Walking Tour: $17
  • Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $269
  • Melbourne Laneways and Galleries Impressionist Art Walking Tour: $84
  • Wilsons Promontory Hiking Day Tour - 8 Person Max Small Group : $147
  • 1 day Lake mountain snow tour : $73
  • 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $147
  • 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
  • 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Private Smal Group Tour FREE entries: $83
  • 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour - 8 person max: $147
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $843
  • 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $60
  • 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $992

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

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

  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
  • City Kayak Tour: $53
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
  • Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
  • Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
  • Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melbourne $17
    Gothenburg $24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $5.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
  • Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
  • Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
  • Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
  • Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
  • MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
  • Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
  • Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
  • New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
  • Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
  • Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129

Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:

  • Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Gothenburg, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Gothenburg is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Gothenburg?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Gothenburg?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Gothenburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Gothenburg in the Summer?

Both Gothenburg and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Melbourne is a little warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Gothenburgin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F) 
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Gothenburg in the Autumn?

Both Gothenburg and Melbourne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In April, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Gothenburgin October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Gothenburgin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Gothenburgin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F) 
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Gothenburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Melbourne is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F)in January.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Gothenburgin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F) 
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Gothenburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Gothenburg. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Melbourne is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Gothenburgin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Gothenburgin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F) 
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Melbourne

Melbourne Gothenburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in)