Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Bordeaux?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Bordeaux 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.
Bordeaux is a romantic, historical, and elegant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, Bordeaux attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bordeaux travel costs.
Rio de Janeiro is a festive, diverse, and high energy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rio de Janeiro travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rio de Janeiro than Bordeaux, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rio de Janeiro is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bordeaux is known for its historical sights. Bordeaux is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Rio de Janeiro is popular for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. It is also home to Christ the Redeemer.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rio de Janeiro and Bordeaux. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rio de Janeiro are among the most recognizable in the world. Looking out over the city is the world famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer. It sits on top of Corcovado Mountain and it is a must-see destination for visitors to the city. Other sights around town include the church and monastery of São Bento, the stunning church of São Francisco da Penitência, the imperial palaces of São Cristóvão, and the baroque church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.
Foodies will find both Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro both to be terrific destinations.
For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.
Rio de Janeiro has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The cuisine around town mixes African and European cooking styles to give it a unique taste. The city is a mix of cultures and flavors and you'll find restaurants that integrate traditional Brazilian dishes with international influences. You'll find a wonderful street food scene, but also fine dining, and everything in between. Some of the most popular dishes include feijoada (beef and bean stew), churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), and pão de queijo (baked dough and cheese).
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
People head to Rio de Janeiro just to party. It has a world famous nightlife scene, and the most popular party neighborhood is Lapa. While the biggest crowds are on the weekends, weeknights stay busy as well. Every weekend in Lapa there's a huge street party, but there are also bars and dance clubs nearby. A more local neighborhood is Botafogo, which is a great area to grab a beer and enjoy a relaxed night out. If you want a beachside bar, check out the touristy neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana.
If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have long been written about and made iconic by songs and literary works. Copacabana and Ipanema are world renowned, and the sandy stretches and vibrant waterfront promenades will not disappoint. There are plenty of recreational activities as well as a striking blue water backdrop. You'll find beach parties, waterside bars, and pickup games of football or volleyball. In addition to these iconic beaches, there are several lesser known places to visit like Joatinga and Barra da Tijuca.
Bordeaux is not a beach destination.
Bordeaux is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.
Bordeaux offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.
Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.
People visit Rio de Janeiro specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Although it is a bustling megacity, it also offers access to world class hikes. The city is filled with mountains and dramatic peaks, so many hikes take you to spectacular views of the city. There are also jungle hikes and even opportunities to see local wildlife. There's a combination of iconic trails and lesser known strolls that will let you truly absorb what this city has to offer. Some of the best hikes include Pedra Bonita, Dois Irmaos, and Pedra da Gávea.
Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Rio de Janeiro make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Whatever your budget, there are options for you. There are wonderful street markets for those on a budget and grand shopping malls if you're looking for something a bit higher end. Some of the best places for shopping include Rio Sul, Barra Shopping, and SAARA Market.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.
The famous beauty of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main draws. The city's mountainous landscapes and striking beaches make it, arguably, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many mountaintop views of the city as well as city hikes and iconic neighborhoods.
With stunning beauty, Bordeaux attracts visitors from all around. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.
Rio de Janeiro is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Rio de Janeiro is a very kid-friendly city. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beaches. It's easy to spend days by the water soaking up the sun. Another must-do is a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable cars are fun and there are jungle walks and spectacular views. If you need to escape the rain or heat, spend the day at the Museum of Tomorrow.
Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.
With fun activities for couples, both Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro make for a excellent place to visit.
Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.
Rio de Janeiro is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many parks and gardens around town that are perfect for a stroll. Nature lovers will enjoy the many hikes in the area, many which go through the jungle, visit waterfalls, or offer spectacular views. And, of course, Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-see destination, as are the many beaches in the area.
Rio de Janeiro is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rio de Janeiro. Backpackers flock to the city for its wild nightlife scene and beautiful beaches. There's a huge backpacker culture here and many hostels around town that offer a social setting and plenty of activities for guests.
Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.
Bordeaux is a great destination for students. However, Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.
Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro.
Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.
Many visitors use the public transit system in Rio de Janeiro. The city has a subway system, MetroRio, that is relatively reliable and convenient. There are also city buses, trams, and commuter trains.
Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro both are excellent when exploring on foot.
Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.
Rio de Janeiro is a very walkable destination. Most of the areas where tourists spend their time are relatively walkable. Centro is compact and many tourists choose to explore areas on foot. As always, remember to take the appropriate safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.
For even more information, also check out Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Rio de Janeiro Worth Visiting?.
Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rio de Janeiro than Bordeaux because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 4-6 days is enough time in Rio de Janeiro.
Families should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro than Bordeaux. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rio de Janeiro, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro than Bordeaux. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rio de Janeiro that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro than Bordeaux if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rio de Janeiro.
In Bordeaux, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Rio de Janeiro is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
Rio de Janeiro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.
Rio de Janeiro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rio de Janeiro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Bordeaux. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Rio de Janeiro is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bordeaux is €156, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €103. 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 Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Bordeaux 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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.
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 Bordeaux has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Bordeaux is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In July, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Rio de Janeiro and Bordeaux during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Bordeaux is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the dry season in Rio de Janeiro. December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro. The winter months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.
Bordeaux is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Rio de Janeiro. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Bordeaux is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Bordeaux usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. December to April in Rio de Janeiro is the rainy season.
Bordeaux | Rio de Janeiro | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |