Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zurich or Malmo?
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 Malmo. 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 Malmo?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $268Malmo $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $268, while the average daily cost in Malmo is $81. 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 Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $170Malmo $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $340Malmo $96
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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.
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 Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $36Malmo $7.88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$18
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 Zurich or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo 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
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Food Meals for one dayZurich $62Malmo $25
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $36Malmo $16
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 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $29Malmo $35
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 Malmo, we can see that Zurich 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 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Malmo?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Malmo in the Summer?
Both Malmo and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Zurich is a little warmer than Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Malmo, 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 Malmo. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Malmo. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Malmo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Malmo. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Zurich is a little warmer than Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Malmo. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Malmo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Malmo. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Malmo in the winter. The weather in Zurich can be very cold. In January, Zurich is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Malmo in the Spring?
Both Malmo and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
Zurich is much warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Malmo. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Zurich
| Zurich | Malmo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.