Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Sao Paulo?
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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Sao Paulo €49
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is €49. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Sao Paulo €28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Sao Paulo €56
Compare Hotels in Athens and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Sao Paulo €5.50
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:
- From Paros: Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands or Athens: $2,712
- From Meteora Private Day Trip with Transfer: $1,055
- From Ancient Corinth Day Trip with Private Transfer: $464
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $452
- From Private Cape Sounion Sunset Tour with Transfer: $301
- Transfer from Athens airport to Epidavros up to 4 customers: $298
- Transfer Airport Athens to NAFPLIO , up to 4 customers: $298
- Athens Airport to Kyllini Transfer or from Kyllini to Athens: $291
- Luxury Private Transfer from Athens to Kymi Port: $284
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $273
- Private Transfer through Athens Attractions at Night: $273
- Private Transfer from Athens to Mantoudi: $273
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $235
- Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Private Transfer from VCP Airport or Campinas to GRU Airport (1 a 15 pessoas): $195
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $181
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
- Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Campinas-Viracopos (VCP) Airport to Sao Paulo Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 €37Sao Paulo €14
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 Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $26
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $52
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $62
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $64
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Sao Paulo €3.77
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $87
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 4Hours: $142
- Athens Private Day Tour Best place to visit: $273
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $86
- DELPHI and THERMOPYLAE: Full Day Private Tour Visit Arachova 8 H: $204
- DISCOVER ATHENS IN 6HRS Private Tour BEST INTRODUCTION-FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS : $218
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $174
- Food Experience in Athens including Unlimited Lunch : $63
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $246
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $191
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $59
- "Acropolis Half-day Tour and City Visit": $170
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Sao Paulo €3.28
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $36
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $54
- Greek food and wine tasting: $54
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $54
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $79
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Sao Paulo, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Athens is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAthens 27°C (81°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
Athens usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sao Pauloin April. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAthens 19°C (67°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sao Paulo. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Athens is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAthens 10°C (51°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sao Paulo. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Athens is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAthens 16°C (60°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Athens
| Athens | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.