Which place is cheaper, Oslo 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 Oslo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Oslo? 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 Oslo?
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.
Oslo
Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.
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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.
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Gothenburg Prices
Sweden PricesOslo Prices
Norway Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $145Oslo $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, while the average daily cost in Oslo is $150. 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 Oslo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $46Oslo $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $92Oslo $148
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Oslo
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Oslo? 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 Oslo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $21Oslo $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:
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Tram Ticket$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:
- Trondheim Private Transfer from Trondheim (TRD) Airport to City centre: $194
- Round-Trip Private Transfer Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City by Business Car: $250
- Private Transfer from Sandefjord (TRF) Airport to Sandefjord City: $144
- Private Transfer from Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL): $138
- Private Transfer from Oslo City Centre to Oslo Airport: $156
- Private Transfer from Oslo Airport (OSL) to Oslo Cruise Port : $138
- Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $144
- Private Transfer Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City Centre: $129
- Private Transfer From Oslo To Drammen With a 2 Hour Stop: $156
- Private Direct Transfer From Oslo to Drammen: $91
- Airport or Hotel Private Transfer: $142
- Oslo Private Transfer from Oslo (OSL) Airport to City centre: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Oslo?
Prices for flights to both Oslo 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 $76Oslo $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.
- Oslofjord Fjord-Style Dinner Cruise: $69
- City Tour with Traditional Norwegian Lunch or Dinner: $114
- 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $151
- Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $154
- Norwegian Food Tour & Hidden Gems City Walk: $162
- Norwegian Food Tour & Hidden Gems City Walk: $165
- Oslo Tour with a Michelin-Starred Chef & Lunch/Dinner: $177
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $18Oslo $15
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Self Guided Tour in Gothenburg: $3.58
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
- Headless Horseman in Self-Guided Ghost Tour Game: $8.63
- Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Admission Ticket: $15
- Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
- Gothenburg Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
- World of Volvo Exhibition Entry Ticket: $19
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $24
- Gothenburg Universeum Ticket - Aquarium, Science, Wildlife, Zoo: $25
- City Canal Sightseeing Cruise: $28
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Oslo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:
- Family-friendly Fun Oslo Private Guided Tour with Kids: $299
- 2-Hour Oslo Fjord Sightseeing Cruise by Sailing Ship: $51
- 3 Hours Walking Tour for Great Food in Oslo: $158
- 4 Hours Island Hopping Tour in Oslo: $60
- A Self-Guided Tour of Oslo's Waterfront: $8.99
- Akerselva River Kayak/Packraft Tour: Urban Adventure in Oslo: $103
- Akerselva River Meander: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Akerselva River: Urban Paddling Adventure Kayak Tour: $101
- BIKING OSLO PRIVATE EXPERIENCE Upto 8 Participants Max: $289
- Best of Walking Tour with a local guide: $394
- Central Oslo Guided Walking Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $24Oslo $9.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:
- Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66
Sample the Local Flavors in Oslo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oslo:
- The Original Oslo Pub Crawl: $34
- The Original Oslo Pub Crawl: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Oslo?
Oslo has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Oslo, 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 Oslo?
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 Gothenburg or Oslo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Oslo. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Oslo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Oslo in the Autumn?
Both Oslo and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Gothenburg is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Oslo 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Oslo in the Winter?
Both Oslo and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. Gothenburg is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In the winter, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Oslo -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Oslo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Oslo. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.
In the spring, Gothenburg is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Oslo 6°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Oslo and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Oslo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.