Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangkok 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 Bangkok 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: Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, 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 dayBangkok $76Rio de Janeiro $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $99. 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 Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $41Rio de Janeiro $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $82Rio de Janeiro $124
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $5.80Rio de Janeiro $7.47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.19
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Skytrain Ticket$4.39
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.88
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Ferry Ride$0.71
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Taxi From Airport$6.86
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Short Taxi Ride$2.47
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Boat Taxi$1.37
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Trains to airport$4.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- 3 Temple Bangkok City Tour without Admission Ticket & Transfer: $47
- Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $44
- Arrival Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok Airport to Hotel in Bangkok: $31
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Business MPV: $20
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $96
- BKK Airport - Hua Hin/Cha-am 100% Electric Private Transfer : $97
- Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport Transfer - Central Bangkok Hotel: $44
- Bangkok Airport Arrival Transfer with Free SIM CARD: $31
- Bangkok Airport DMK to Kanchanaburi Round Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26
- Bangkok Airport Transfer: $27
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$2.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer: $477
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $70
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arrival Private Transfers from Rio de Janeiro Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers from Rio de Janeiro Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro: $113
- Botanic Garden and Parque Lage Guided Tour & Transfer: $72
- Carnival Parade at the Sapucaí 2025 with transfer: $474
- Corcovado & Favela Tour with Transfer: $85
- Departure Private Transfers from Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Airport GIG: $113
- Departure private transfer from Barra da Tijuca to Rio GIG Airport by Sedan: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $18Rio de Janeiro $19
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$25
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.49
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.49
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Pad Thai$1.92
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Airport Lunch for 2$15
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Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $21
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $24
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $25
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $25
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $26
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Nopparat Thai Dinner with Classical Dance: $28
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$0.55
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Corn on the Cob$0.73
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Hamburger$0.92
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.Bangkok $16Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.39
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.60
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.37
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.49
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Club Cover Charge$10
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$66
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Fish Pedicure$4.11
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.74
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Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Skip the Line: Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket: $5.46
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.47
- Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chinatown Mystery Quest Experience in Bangkok: $7.17
- Best of Bangkok in 2 Days: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.98
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.52
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.64
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $10
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.88
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.88
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $8.06
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $8.06
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.06
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Rio Experience: Caipirinha Workshop (2 Caipis) + Funk Class: $9.29
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $9.29
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Rio de Janeiro Ferris Wheel Ticket - Yup Star: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $6.00Rio de Janeiro $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure: $10
- The Bangkok Pub Crawl: $20
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 Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Bangkok. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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 Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
In July, Bangkok is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 29°C (84°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In July, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 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 JanuaryBangkok 29°C (84°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bangkok is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Bangkok. May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBangkok 28°C (83°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
In the winter, Bangkok is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bangkok in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Bangkok is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBangkok 27°C (80°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Rio de Janeiro. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Bangkok is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 31°C (87°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Bangkok usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBangkok 31°C (87°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.