A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Rio de Janeiro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Rio de Janeiro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Rio de Janeiro?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

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 Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Antananarivo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Antananarivo Prices
    Madagascar Prices
    Rio de Janeiro Prices
    Brazil Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Antananarivo $87
    Rio de Janeiro $105

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $87, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Antananarivo and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $28
    Rio de Janeiro $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $56
    Rio de Janeiro $116
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo 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.

Hotels in Antananarivo


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $13
    Rio de Janeiro $6.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Cheap Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in Antananarivo: $16
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $66
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $35

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Shared Transfer From Rio De Janeiro Airport to Hotels: $15
  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Rio de Janeiro Private Transfer From Hotel Zone to Airport (GIG): $16
  • Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU/GIG) Transfer to City Centre/Hotels: $17
  • Rio de Janeiro Private Transfer From Hotel Zone to Airport (SDU): $19
  • Rio de Janeiro Private Airport Transfer (SDU) to Hotel Zone: $19
  • Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $19
  • One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
  • Executive GIG Rio Galeao airport private transfer up to 3 pax to South Zone: $21
  • Executive GIG Rio Galeao airport private transfer up to 4 pax to South Zone: $23
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Antananarivo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antananarivo $47
    Rio de Janeiro $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.51
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.68
  • Hamburger
    $0.86

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.

  • Barra da Tijuca Walk & Food Tour with Drinks: $0.18
  • Rio Bar Food Tour: $59
  • Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $59
  • The Best Food Tour: Taste the Most Authentic Flavours of Rio: $77
  • Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $79
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
  • Rio Cooking Class 5 meal course +caipirinhas: $80
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $92
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $95
  • Rio Bar Food Tour: $99
  • Brazilian Music at Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $103
  • RIO: ROXY DINNER SHOW: DINNER AND A SHOW THAT HUGS: $103

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $22
    Rio de Janeiro $19

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $34
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $61
  • 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $96
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $133
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $140
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Lemurs Park & City Tour: $150
  • Antananarivo : Day tour to Mantasoa Lake: $195
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $197

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.85
  • Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.86
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
  • Rio de Janeiro Ferris Wheel Ticket - Yup Star: $11
  • Ferris Wheel Ticket: $11
  • Rio Experience: Caipirinha Workshop (2 Caipis) + Funk Class: $11
  • Flamengo Museum Ticket Entrance: $14
  • BioPark of Rio Entry tickets (Zoo): $17
  • Yup Star Observation Wheel Ticket: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.01
    Rio de Janeiro $11

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:

  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $27
  • Rio: Lapa Pub Crawl with Live Samba, Shots, & Drinking Game: $32
  • Rio de Janeiro - Wine Tasting of Brazilian Wines: $35
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $56
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa with Authentic Brazilian Bar Food”: $69
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $86
  • Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $125
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $137


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo 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.