La Plata is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to La Plata?
A typical traveler spends $62 (AR$91,305) per day on a trip to La Plata. This is the average daily price for a vacation in La Plata based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $6.52 (AR$9,631) on meals
- $3.87 (AR$5,716) on local transportation
- $96 (AR$141,807) on hotels
A one-week trip to La Plata for two people costs, on average, $865 (AR$1,278,270). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
In recent years, the Argentine Peso has been very unstable. Therefore, travel cost estimates can sometimes be inaccurate for this country.
-
One Week
Per person
$433
AR$639,135
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$865
AR$1,278,270
-
One Month
Per person
$1,854
AR$2,739,150
-
One Week
For a couple
$865
AR$1,278,270
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,731
AR$2,556,540
-
One Month
For a couple
$3,709
AR$5,478,300
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to La Plata cost?
A one week trip to La Plata usually costs around $433 (AR$639,135) for one person and $865 (AR$1,278,270) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to La Plata on average costs around $865 (AR$1,278,270) for one person and $1,731 (AR$2,556,540) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in La Plata will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to La Plata on average costs around $1,854 (AR$2,739,150) for one person and $3,709 (AR$5,478,300) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is La Plata expensive to visit?
In La Plata, budget travelers spend $30 (AR$39,284) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $69 (AR$91,305) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $138 (AR$184,101) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to La Plata.
La Plata is a smaller destination that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
La Plata can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, La Plata is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to San Pedro de Atacama or Rosario.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is La Plata Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to La Plata?
The average La Plata trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these La Plata travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to La Plata cost?
La Plata on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$21
(AR$30,496)
|
$48
(AR$70,904)
|
$97
(AR$143,119)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$2
(AR$2,429)
|
$4
(AR$5,716)
|
$8
(AR$11,958)
|
|
Food2
|
$3
(AR$4,172)
|
$7
(AR$9,631)
|
$13
(AR$19,002)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$9
(AR$13,606)
|
$21
(AR$31,651)
|
$43
(AR$64,004)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$1-3
(AR$1,667-5,002)
|
$3-8
(AR$4,052-12,156)
|
$6-19
(AR$9,277-27,830)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people assume they can visit La Plata on a minimal budget, but most find that style of travel to be uncomfortable. Think about what makes a vacation enjoyable for you. Do you like staying in budget hostels, regular hotels, or high-end resorts? Do you want to experience the local attractions? Do you enjoy dining out? Your budget and itinerary will be determined by your answers to these questions.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $30 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Thankfully, La Plata is home to plenty of hostels, including La Plata Hostel El Pampa. In these hostels, you can find economical dorm accommodations and a fun social atmosphere, but amenities are typically limited.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. A significant number of visitors to La Plata will want to tour the main attractions, museums, and landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $69 per person, per day.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you're looking for a higher-end vacation filled with high-end amenities and exceptional service, plan for a daily expense of approximately $138. Staying at nicer hotels, savoring meals at top-rated restaurants, splurging on lavish outings, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination means you'll need a more luxurious budget.
Accommodation Budget in La Plata
Prices for hotels in La Plata vary widely, with luxury hotels charging more due to higher amenities. In the off-season, expect to pay around $67, but during peak season, average prices climb to $125. With options ranging from $47 to $192, there's something for every budget. Hostels are usually cheaper, especially dorm rooms. To save, book during the off-season or keep an eye out for special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in La Plata for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $96 (AR$141,807). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $48 (AR$70,904) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in La Plata? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in La Plata include:
- Hotel Corregidor La Plata starting at $73
- Hotel del Sol La Plata starting at $70
- San Marco Hotel starting at $76
- Benevento Hotel starting at $61
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and skip ), you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in La Plata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $3.87 (AR$5,716) per person, per day, on local transportation in La Plata. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in La Plata is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$3.87
AR$5,716
Buses from Buenos Aires Retiro station to La Plata cost USD$2 with your SUBE card and take between 1 to 2 hours depending on the route and traffic. The two main bus services are Plaza and Costera and leave Buenos Aires every 20 to 30 minutes each day from 5h30 to 22h30. Other Argentinian cities offer bus services to La Plata but the majority of the rides, especially from the north, are not direct and most of them stop in Buenos Aires. You can also rent a car and take the highway on your own to reach La Plata. However because the bus is a rather simple and cheap option and La Plata is an easy city to navigate by foot because of its grid system, it is not necessarily recommended to rent a car for this trip. In La Plata, you can walk from one side of the city to another within 45 minutes. Taxis are plentiful, cheap and can be hailed on the street. Make sure to stay vigilant as the diagonal avenues that cut through La Plata can be confusing and taxi drivers will often take advantage of that to increase the price on the meter. The city buses (micro) are cheap and reliable. Prices are based on distance travelled, starting at 6 pesos for up to 3 km and 7 pesos anything over 27 km. You must specify the destination upon entering the bus and the driver will charge accordingly. You can buy a prepaid Sube card (valid for La Plata, Buenos Aires and travel in between) at any news stand for 25 pesos. You must also hale the bus as it passes the bus stop or it will continue its route.
How much does it cost to go to La Plata? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in La Plata will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in La Plata
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in La Plata can vary significantly, the average cost of food in La Plata is $6.52 (AR$9,631) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$6.52
AR$9,631
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in La Plata is around $7 (AR$9631) per person, with previous travelers spending from $3 to $14. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in La Plata are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $2
- Lunch: $1 to $3
- Dinner: $2 to $5
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $1
Barbecue, burgers, seafood and traditional meals make up the La Plata's food scene. Farmers markets with locally grown produce and fresh meats are also very popular in the city. You will have a great list of restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes to choose from during your stay in La Plata. In the very centre of the city there are a lot of pubs, classy bars and upper-class restaurants and the further you get out to the suburbs, the more you will find rock and indie bars heading towards the shady look. The Old Station District is the student's favourite area, as it holds plenty of cool charismatic pubs and some great live music.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in La Plata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in La Plata typically cost an average of $21 (AR$31,651) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
AR$31,651
La Plata has very interesting architecture, which makes it the kind of city where you will simply want to wander up and down the big sidewalks and enjoy the beautifully-designed and varied buildings. If you have time, head to La Plata Casa Curutchet, the only house in all Latin America designed by the famous Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, often considered as one of the pioneers of modern architecture. Check out La Plata's park, east of the centre, which is probably one of the most beautiful places in the city. The 'bosque' hosts the stadium of the local football team 'Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata' but also the museum of natural science, the zoological gardens and the observatory. Everyday the park is filled with thousands of Argentinian enjoying a cup of mate, doing their daily jogging, studying, relaxing or playing a picadito, an informal football match. Plants and flowers from all different parts of South America find their home here in el bosque thanks to the work of a dedicated local scientific community. Another sight not to be missed in La Plata is its Cathedral. From the viewpoint located in the "Tower of Jesus", it is possible to see the coast of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay on clear days.
Inhabitants of La Plata are extremely proud of their Natural History Museum. It has plenty of dinosaur skeletons, a detailed permanent exhibition on the numerous pre-Columbian cultures in south America, and other world class exhibits. Located in the green parks north of the city centre, the entry costs USD$2. For art-lovers, the Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes has a small exhibition space displaying temporary contemporary art exhibitions. La Plata is also a haven for science freaks, as it has one of the most important universities in Latin America, a beautiful Museum of Natural Science and an Observatory, which is open most days and offers guided tours. The Scientific tour includes the visit of the 1883, pure Victorian style Observatory building, the museum of astronomy and geophysics and the room of the telescope, "El gran Ecuatorial". If you need to get out of the city, within just a few minutes from La Plata you can find lots of places to enjoy a day in the countryside. Discover the gaucho world with an afternoon of horse riding, stuff yourself with a delicious asado, relax in a swimming pool or test your limits with aviation sports such as hang gliding.
Nightlife Budget in La Plata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $5.49 (AR$8,104) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in La Plata per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.49
AR$8,104
Exploring the nightlife is often a fun part of any trip, but skipping a few drinks can make a big impact on your overall travel cost.
Travel cost data last updated: Aug 11, 2025
Budgeting and Travel Tips for La Plata
- Traveling more slowly can help you save some cash while enjoying the beauty of the area. When you fill your days with activities, expenses can skyrocket. But taking it easy often means enjoying yourself more and spending less.
Budgeting Challenges
- La Plata doesn't offer many public transportation choices. It might be a good idea to arrange for transportation ahead of time, like booking a tour or a private driver. Just keep in mind that this could affect your budget in other areas.
- If you're hoping to find a hostel in La Plata, you might be disappointed. Instead of dorms, consider searching for affordable hotels or apartment rentals.
Traveling in La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.