Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Rio de Janeiro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Rio de Janeiro?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Rio de Janeiro €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €91. 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 Athens and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Rio de Janeiro €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Rio de Janeiro €114
Compare Hotels in Athens and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Rio de Janeiro €6.88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port Transfer: $76
- Santorini Airport JTR Private Transfer with Wi-Fi: $33
- Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-Athens Airport to Corinth-Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi: $221
- A mini Embark / Disembark Tour In Athens With Transfers from airport / port.: $262
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $29
- Accessible Private Transfer WAV from Athens Airport to Port Rafina: $43
- Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $29
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Business Car: $87
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Luxury Car: $135
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by Minibus: $111
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by luxury van: $92
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Piraeus Port to Athens City by Luxury Van: $70
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€2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $477
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025: $477
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer: $477
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer: $477
- Carnival Parade at the Sapucaí 2025 with transfer: $474
- Private transfer for up to 15 passengers.: $334
- Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
- Private Transfer to/from Paraty: $272
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
- Private Transfer to/from Buzios/Cabo Frio: $261
- EXECUTIVE VAN Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Athens 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 dayAthens €37Rio de Janeiro €17
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $47
- Athens walking and tasting food tour.: $54
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $55
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $61
- Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $63
- Street Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $65
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $65
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $65
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $65
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best streed food: $68
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€0.51
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Corn on the Cob€0.67
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Hamburger€0.84
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.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $50
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $61
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $66
- Rio's Walking Food Tour: $77
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $81
- Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro - Private Tour: $86
- On the Beach Seafood BBQ Cooking Class: $105
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Brazilian Cooking Class in Copacabana with Hotel Pickup: $140
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
- Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Rio de Janeiro €19
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Self Guided Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.30
- Acropolis Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.75
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.62
- Athens Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.63
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Neighborhood of the Gods Smarthphone GPS APP Audio Walking Tour: $7.50
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $7.73
- Traditional Greek Food: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Athens: $7.99
- On the prowl- Cats of Athens Plaka, Self-Guided audio tour on your Phone: $8.83
- Acropolis Self-Guided Audiovisual Tour with 3D Models: $8.83
- Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $8.83
- Private Self-Guided Audio City-Tour in Athens: $8.84
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $86
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- One Day Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
- #ClimbVidigal - Favela Day Tour with photos and videos: $420
- 1 hour Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $161
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 20 - Guided Tour to AquaRio and Olympic Boulevard: $120
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $62
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $62
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Rio de Janeiro €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Polykala Distillery showroom. A125 years of history along with liqueur tasting.: $15
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience: $44
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $54
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $54
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $54
- 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $55
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $61
- Private Wine Tasting near Acropolis: $72
- Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum: $110
- Ancient Corinth & Nemea Wine Tasting (up to 15 in a Luxurious Mercedes Minibus): $145
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:
- Pub Crawl Lapa: $23
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $23
- Rio: Lapa Pub Crawl with Live Samba, Shots, & Drinking Game: $24
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $33
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $119
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Rio de Janeiro?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Athens has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Athens or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Athens is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAthens 27°C (81°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Athens or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAthens 19°C (67°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Athens or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In January, Athens is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Athens usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAthens 10°C (51°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Athens or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Athens is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAthens 16°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Athens
| Athens | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 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.