Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Basel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Basel or Malmo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Malmo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Basel or Malmo?
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden.
-
Basel Prices
Switzerland PricesMalmo Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBasel $326Malmo $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Basel is $326, while the average daily cost in Malmo is $115. 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 Basel and Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBasel $166Malmo $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBasel $332Malmo $110
Compare Hotels in Basel and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Basel 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: Basel Hotel Prices and Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Basel $53Malmo $9.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Private transfer from Basel to Zurich with 3h Sightseeing Stops: $275
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Strasbourg: $255
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Lucerne with a local driver: $275
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Colmar with a local driver: $144
- Private Transfer: Basel Airport BSL to Zurich in Luxury Van: $286
- Private Transfer from Basel EuroAirport to Basel City: $167
- Private Transfer Service from Basel to Basel Airport: $137
- Private Transfer Basel City to Basel Port: $142
- Freiburg: Bus transfer from/to Basel Euro Airport: $31
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Luxury Van: $124
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $119
- Basel to Basel Airpor (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
-
Malmö Bus Card$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $57
- Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $105
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $134
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $136
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Basel or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo and Basel 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 dayBasel $123Malmo $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.
- Self-Guided Food Tour: $49
- Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers/Dessert: $163
- Cooking Class: Homemade Italian Lasagna Experience by Locals: $189
- Family-Style Italian Pizza Cooking Class & Dining Experience: $189
- Cheese, Chocolate and Pastry Food Tour: $189
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Basel $43Malmo $18
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.97
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $90
- Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $31
- Basel City Tour: The Essentials: $45
- Basel City Tour: The Essentials: $63
- Basel Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Basel Farmer's Market, Cheese, Chocolate & Pastry Tour: $108
- Basel Historical Old Town Tour: $21
- Basel Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $59
- Basel Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide : $120
- Basel Private City Tour with Chocolate tasting: $147
- Basel Private City Tour: Highlights And Hidden Gems: $128
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.16
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63
- The Headless Horseman in Malmö: A self-guided walking tour game: $8.63
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
- Skip the Line: Disgusting Food Museum Entrance Ticket: $24
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
- Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
- Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $45
- Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
- Malmö Photography Tour: $67
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBasel $38Malmo $41
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Alsace wine tour & medieval villages small group guided tour: $358
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Malmo, we can see that Basel 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Basel or Malmo?
Malmo has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or Malmo in the Summer?
Both Malmo and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.
Basel is a little warmer than Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel 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 Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in July than Malmo. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBasel 21°C (70°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Basel or Malmo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Malmo. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
In the autumn, Basel is a little warmer than Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Basel usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Malmo. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBasel 13°C (56°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Basel or Malmo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Malmo. Many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Malmo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In January, Basel is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBasel 3°C (37°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Basel or Malmo in the Spring?
Both Malmo and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.
Basel is much warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Basel usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Malmo. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBasel 12°C (53°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Basel
| Basel | 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.