Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao? 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: Gothenburg or Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Gothenburg Prices
Sweden PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $145Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Gothenburg and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $46Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $92Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Koh Tao? 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $21Koh Tao $9.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $215
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $131
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Gothenburg 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 dayGothenburg $76Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $18Koh Tao $30
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
- City Kayak Tour: $53
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
- Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
- Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Koh Tao Island Puzzle and Treasure Hunt Adventure: $75
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $24Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Koh Tao, we can see that Gothenburg is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg is in Europe and Koh Tao is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Koh Tao?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Koh Tao, 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 Gothenburg or Koh Tao?
Gothenburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Gothenburg is much colder than Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.