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

Should you visit York or Malmo?

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

Should I visit York or Malmo? 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: York or Malmo?

York

York, in North Yorkshire, England, is a city rich in history that dates back to before Roman times. It is an ancient cathedral city that still has some impressive historical buildings that make it easily worth a visit. It has some of the best preserved buildings and structures in all of Europe, so if you're a history buff, then this is the place to be. It is usually tied with Manchester as the second most visited city in England, after London.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo or York?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in York is £106, while the average daily cost in Malmo is £65. 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 York and Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    York £59
    Malmo £38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    York £118
    Malmo £76
Compare Hotels in York and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in York or Malmo? 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 York


Hotels in Malmo


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: York Hotel Prices and Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    York £12
    Malmo £6.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in York

Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:

  • Private Transfer from York to Manchester Airport (MAN): $279
  • Private Transfer from Hull to Manchester Airport (MAN): $271
  • Private Transfer from Hambleton to Manchester Airport (MAN): $163

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

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


  • Malmö Bus Card
    £15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

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

  • Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
  • Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into York or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo and York 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
    York £32
    Malmo £20
Typical Food Prices in York

Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:


  • Dinner
    £22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in York

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in York.

  • Breakfast Food Tour in York: $51
  • Party Cruise with Welcome Drink, Dinner, and DJ Music: $56
  • York on a Fork Food Tour: $83

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.
    York £11
    Malmo £13

Tours and Activities in York

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:

  • All Creatures Great & Small tour from York: $100
  • Bishopthorpe Palace Christmas Cruise: $19
  • Castle Howard Entrance Ticket: $32
  • City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $20
  • Clueniveristy of Magic!! Immersive Adventure in York City: $24
  • Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour: $25
  • Dark Tales of York. Private ghost tours.: $61
  • Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York: $18
  • Discover York's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour of the City Walls: $11
  • Early Evening Boat Cruise through York: $18
  • Fish & Chips Boat Cruise in York: $30
  • From Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour: $74

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    York £13
    Malmo £28
Typical Alcohol Prices in York

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:


  • A Couple Beers
    £9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in York

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:

  • Hooting Owl Distillery York - Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting: $32
  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
  • The Full Hoot Distillery Tour & Guided Hooting Owl Experience: $57


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


Which is Bigger, York or Malmo?

Malmo has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of York. When comparing the sizes of York and Malmo, 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 York or Malmo?

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 York or Malmo in the Summer?

Both Malmo and York during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to York for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, York is around the same temperature as Malmo. Typically, the summer temperatures in York in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Malmo averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, York often gets less sunshine than Malmo. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.

York usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Malmo. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit York or Malmo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Malmo. Many visitors come to York in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, York is generally around the same temperature as Malmo. Daily temperatures in York average around 11°C (52°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

York usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives around the same amount of rain as Malmo. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    York 11°C (52°F) 
    Malmo 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit York or Malmo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Malmo. Most visitors come to York for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Malmo can be very cold. York can be very cold during winter. York is much warmer than Malmo in the winter. The daily temperature in York averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, York often gets more sunshine than Malmo. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.

York usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    York 4°C (39°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit York or Malmo in the Spring?

Both Malmo and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, York is a little warmer than Malmo. Typically, the spring temperatures in York in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Malmo averages at about 5°C (42°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives more rain than Malmo. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    York 8°C (46°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and York

York Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 16°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)