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

Should you visit Copenhagen or Malmo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Copenhagen and Malmo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Copenhagen or Malmo?

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark. It has a small town vibe but is still a cosmopolitan city with lots of shopping, culture, and nightlife. It's a very safe and comfortable city that is easy to explore on foot. Copenhagen is the birthplace of many old fairytales, but also has modern, world class architecture and a liberal vibe. The people of Copenhagen are diverse and international. Most residents are Danes, but some come from Germany and Sweden and there are also many Middle Eastern immigrants.

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 Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark, The Best 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Copenhagen?

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 Copenhagen is $278, 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 Copenhagen and Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Copenhagen $99
    Malmo $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Copenhagen $198
    Malmo $110
Compare Hotels in Copenhagen and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen


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: Copenhagen Hotel Prices and Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Copenhagen $79
    Malmo $9.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Copenhagen

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


  • Bicycle Renting
    $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Copenhagen

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

  • Private Transfer to/from Copenhagen Airport CPH: $126
  • Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $114
  • Private Transfer to Copenhagen Port: $274
  • Private Transfer Airport To/From Cruise Port: $173
  • Copenhagen Airport Transfer Service | English Speaking: $135

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:

  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $168
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $106
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $58
  • Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Copenhagen or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo and Copenhagen 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
    Copenhagen $116
    Malmo $51
Typical Food Prices in Copenhagen

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


  • Hot Dogs
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Copenhagen

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
  • The Nørrebro Street Art & Food Tour: $55
  • Copenhagen : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $105
  • Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Danish Classics: $124
  • Copenhagen Cooking Class: Nordic Cooking Class with Open Bar: $125
  • Modern City Food Tour: $149
  • E-Bike Guided Food Tour with 3 stops: $157

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: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Copenhagen $34
    Malmo $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Copenhagen

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Copenhagen's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Tour
    $9.44
  • Coffee
    $15

Tours and Activities in Copenhagen

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

  • Østerbro: Evening Treats & Insights Walking Tour: $87
  • 3-Hour Private Copenhagen Walking Tour: $189
  • Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn, Frederiks Kirke, Copenhagen Tour: $45
  • Best of Copenhagen Biking Tour-3 Hours, Small Group max 10: $103
  • Bike Tour of The Little Mermaid & Hidden Gems: $156
  • Christiansborg Palace Tour in Spanish: $29
  • Christmas Magic in Copenhagen - Private Walking Tour: $1,395
  • Copenhagen & Christiania : Guided Bike Tour in French: $65
  • Copenhagen Bucket List Tour – 8K Run (Tuesday & Saturday): $350
  • Copenhagen Christianshavn Walking Tour: $82
  • Copenhagen Christmas Market Tour: $308
  • Copenhagen City & Christiansborg Palace Private Walking Tour: $564

Tours and Activities in Malmo

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

  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
  • Copenhagen and Hamlet Tour: $144
  • Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $39
  • Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $67
  • Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
  • Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $73
  • Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Copenhagen $15
    Malmo $41

Sample the Local Flavors in Copenhagen

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

  • Guided Party Pub Crawl with 4 Shots and 1 Drink: $47
  • Private Wine Tasting Boat Tour: $189


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


Which is Bigger, Copenhagen or Malmo?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen or Malmo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Malmo in the Summer?

Both Malmo and Copenhagen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Copenhagen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Copenhagen is around the same temperature as Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Copenhagen averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In July, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Malmo. Copenhagen gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Copenhagen 17°C (63°F) 
    Malmo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Copenhagen or Malmo in the Autumn?

Both Malmo and Copenhagen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Copenhagen because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Copenhagen is around the same temperature as Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Copenhagen in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Copenhagen usually gets more rain in October than Malmo. Copenhagen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Copenhagen 10°C (50°F) 
    Malmo 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Copenhagen or Malmo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Copenhagen and Malmo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Copenhagen this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Malmo. It's quite cold in Copenhagen in the winter. In January, Copenhagen is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Copenhagen average around 1°C (33°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In January, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Malmo. Copenhagen gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Copenhagen 1°C (33°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Copenhagen or Malmo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Copenhagen as well as Malmo. Many travelers come to Copenhagen for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Copenhagen is a little warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Copenhagen averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Copenhagen usually gets more rain in April than Malmo. Copenhagen gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Copenhagen 7°C (45°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and Copenhagen

Copenhagen Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 51 mm (2 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 3°C (37°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)