Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Auckland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Auckland 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 Auckland and Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Rio de Janeiro?
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
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 New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, 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 dayAuckland $141Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $141, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Auckland and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $89Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $178Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Auckland 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: Auckland Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $16Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.62
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Auckland Airport Private Transfer: $81
- Airport Transfer From Auckland Airport To Auckland City: $121
- Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Car: $121
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Business Car: $83
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Van: $111
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Sedan Car: $84
- Auckland Airport & Ground Transfers - Private Luxury Car/ Van.: $120
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $145
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
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$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Auckland 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 dayAuckland $27Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $90
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $105
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$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
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: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $28Rio de Janeiro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Auckland Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Hīkoi to Britomart Guided Walking Tour - Auckland Art Gallery: $15
- Join the locals: 2-Hour Precinct Tour of Dealer Art Galleries: $16
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Skip the Line: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Auckland Ticket: $20
- The Hunt for the Missing Monarch - An Auckland Adventure: $25
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 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
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $14Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $93
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $107
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $132
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $150
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $150
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $153
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $169
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $171
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $199
- Auckland City Tour & Kumeu Wine Country Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch : $224
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: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland 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 Auckland or Rio de Janeiro?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Auckland or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Auckland during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Auckland is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Auckland in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Auckland usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiro. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryAuckland 20°C (68°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In April, Auckland is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 16°C (61°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Auckland usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 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 AprilAuckland 16°C (61°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Auckland is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Auckland receives a lot of rain in the winter. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 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 JulyAuckland 11°C (52°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Auckland is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Auckland in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In October, Auckland usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 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 OctoberAuckland 14°C (58°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Auckland
| Auckland | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.