A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Sao Paulo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bonn or Sao Paulo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bonn or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo?

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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Bonn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is €154, 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 Bonn and Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bonn 85
    Sao Paulo 28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bonn 170
    Sao Paulo 56
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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.

Hotels in Bonn


Hotels in Sao Paulo


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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bonn 23
    Sao Paulo 5.50

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

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 Bonn or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bonn 49
    Sao Paulo 14

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bonn 34
    Sao Paulo 3.77

Tours and Activities in Bonn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.

  • Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $121
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $52
  • Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $223
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
  • Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $323
  • Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
  • 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bonn 23
    Sao Paulo 3.28

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 Bonn and Sao Paulo, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn 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 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 Sao Paulo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bonn or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Bonn or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bonn is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, Bonn usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Bonn 19°C (66°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Bonn or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Bonn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Bonn is much colder than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sao Pauloin April. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Bonn 12°C (53°F) 
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Bonn or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bonn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

In January, Bonn usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Bonn 3°C (37°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Bonn or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Sao Paulo.

In April, Bonn is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Bonn usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Bonn 10°C (50°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Bonn

Bonn Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)