Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bonn or Rio de Janeiro?
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 dayBonn €154Rio de Janeiro €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is €154, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €98. 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 Bonn and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBonn €85Rio de Janeiro €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBonn €170Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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: Bonn Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bonn €23Rio de Janeiro €7.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
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€2.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $471
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $471
- Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Bonn 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 dayBonn €49Rio de Janeiro €19
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€0.91
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.Bonn €34Rio de Janeiro €20
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Free Walking Tour Bonn - City Center: $3.23
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $11
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
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 dayBonn €23Rio 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: $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 Bonn and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bonn or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bonn is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Bonn usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JanuaryBonn 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months.
Bonn is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Bonn gets 47 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 AprilBonn 12°C (53°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bonn can be very cold. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 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 JulyBonn 3°C (37°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Rio de Janeiro.
In April, Bonn is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 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 OctoberBonn 10°C (50°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Bonn
| Bonn | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.