As of November 12, 2026, the cheaper of the two for travelers is Sweden: a mid-range day costs about $161 there, against $164 in the other (Austria), a gap of 1.9%. Over the past year the one that moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor is Sweden (+8.1% after inflation, against +4.8%). The lower US advisory belongs to Austria (Level 1, against Level 2).
| Measure | Austria | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $164 | $161 |
| Lean day | $77 | $78 |
| Comfortable day | $358 | $341 |
| Real change, 12 months | +4.8% | +8.1% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +4.5% | +5.5% |
| Versus 5-year average | −2.5% | +2.2% |
| US advisory | Level 1 · Normal precautions | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.9 · Effortless | 4.9 · Effortless |
| Index score | 59 | 57 |
| Best months | Jun, Jul, Sep, Dec | Jun, Jul, Aug |
| Shoulder months | May, Oct | May, Sep |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Imperial cities and Alpine valleys, run with a precision that makes travel effortless.
The catchSki season in the big resorts prices like Switzerland, and Salzburg and Hallstatt are overrun in July and August.
A weak krona has quietly made Scandinavia's largest country its most affordable.
The catchAlcohol and restaurant meals remain expensive, and almost nowhere takes cash. Winter days are very short.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.