Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Alexandria?
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 Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.
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Alexandria Prices
Egypt PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $25Rio de Janeiro $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $25, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $124. 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 Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $9.16Rio de Janeiro $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $18Rio de Janeiro $136
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro? 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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $3.39Rio de Janeiro $8.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Airport Transfer from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh: $74
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alexandria to Alexandria Airport (HBE)-Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Alexandria to Cairo : Private Transfer 24/7 Service: $75
- Alexandria to Giza & Cairo | Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $73
- Overday Cairo from Alexandria port Transfer: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $20
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $80
- Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo Airport: $240
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria Airport (HBE): $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$3.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Airport Transfer: Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro by Business Car: $102
- Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Airport GIG by Business Car: $102
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $85
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro: $145
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $73
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $90
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $145
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro Cruise Port to Zona Sul: $64
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Paraty: $232
- Arrival Transfer: Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro by Business Van: $123
- Boat Party by Night in Rio de Janeiro Admission & Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Alexandria 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 dayAlexandria $13Rio de Janeiro $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $20
- Private Full-Day Food Tour of Alexandria with Hotel Pick Up: $33
- Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
- Baladi Plates Alexandria Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sofra Stories Alexandria Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Alexandria Food Tour Taste The Egyptian Traditional Food: $56
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.60
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Corn on the Cob$0.81
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Hamburger$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $75
- Roxy Dinner Show: That Embrace Show: $75
- Rio de Janeiro Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $79
- Rio de Janeiro Food Tour with Francesca in Santa Teresa: $80
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Carioca Kitchens Rio de Janeiro Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Cooking Class in Rio with 9 Recipes & Unlimited Caipirinhas: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $4.73Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alexandria Free Walking Tour Discover the Hidden Gems: $5.00
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $19
- Discover Alexandria Walking Tour: $20
- Half Day Tour to Bibliotheca Alexandrina: $22
- Exclusive Tour Alexandria, It's newly opened Greek & Roman Museum: $35
- Private Alexandria Highlights Guided Day Tour: $35
- Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria Islamic architecture: $37
- Catacombs of kom el shoqafa Guided Walking Tour: $40
- Graeco Roman Museum Guided Walking Tour by a Storyteller: $45
- Walking Tour in Alexandria from Alexandria Hotels: $45
- Alexandria Library Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $45
- Greek Heritage Tour of Alexandria Egypt: $50
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discover A Guided Tour: $1.12
- Salvador Pelourinho Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.74
- Rio de Janeiro Urca Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.74
- Ipanema Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.78
- Podcast Tour Coffee, Crowns, and Chains: $5.46
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $6.72
- Self Guided Podcast Tour The Soul of Rio: $6.82
- Rio de Janeiro Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h00 and 24 reviews: $7.00
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $12
- Electric Bike Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.28Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $170
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Alexandria is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Alexandria during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Alexandria is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the dry season in Rio de Janeiro. December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Alexandria is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 13°C (55°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Rio de Janeiro. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.
Alexandria is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. December to April in Rio de Janeiro is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.