Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zurich or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Gothenburg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zurich or Gothenburg?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $268Gothenburg $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $268, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $97. 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 Zurich and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $170Gothenburg $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $340Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $36Gothenburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
-
City Pass (2)$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Zurich:Transfer and Ticket to Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: $109
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $108
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $131
- 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $188
- Zurich to Basel Private Direct Transfer: $205
- Zurich Private Airport and Hotels Transfer with Round-Trip: $149
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zurich City: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $251
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer from Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Lucerne: $328
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Zurich 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 dayZurich $62Gothenburg $38
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
-
Breakfast for 2$13
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $36Gothenburg $15
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $627
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $224
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $101
- Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour: $157
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $650
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $799
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $129
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $124
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $87
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $114
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
- Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
- Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
- Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $29Gothenburg $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Gothenburg, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Gothenburg?
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 Zurich or Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
In the summer, Zurich is a little warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Gothenburg. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zurich is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Gothenburg. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. Zurich is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Gothenburg. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Zurich is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Zurich
| Zurich | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.