A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bratislava vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro?

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

Should I visit Bratislava 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: Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro?

Bratislava

The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.

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 River Cruises in Slovakia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Slovakia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Bratislava?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bratislava is €122, 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 Bratislava and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bratislava 49
    Rio de Janeiro 62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bratislava 98
    Rio de Janeiro 124
Compare Hotels in Bratislava and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Bratislava 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.

Hotels in Bratislava


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Bratislava Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bratislava 26
    Rio de Janeiro 7.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:

  • Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $132
  • Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Bratislava Airport BTS to Poprad - Arrival Private Transfer: $170
  • Bratislava Airport to TurĨianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295
  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $24
  • Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport, 2 Hour Stop: $110
  • Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna, 2h Stop in Schlosshof: $125
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $202
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Bratislava (hotel OR airport pick-up): $28
  • Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $263

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
  • Private transfer from Airport GIG to Rio City center-Copacabana: $15
  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
  • Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Galeao Airport To Rio): $20
  • One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
  • Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Bratislava 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
    Bratislava 45
    Rio de Janeiro 19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.

  • Local Beer & Food Tour: $142
  • Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $170

Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    0.55
  • Corn on the Cob
    0.73
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bratislava 30
    Rio de Janeiro 20

Tours and Activities in Bratislava

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Top experience walking tour with bonus and castle: $4.37
  • Bratislava Old Town In App Audio Tour (ENG): $5.43
  • City & Castle Tour - Introduction to Bratislava: $5.46
  • Guided City and Castle Tour from Bratislava: $5.47
  • Historic City Centre Self-guided Tour: $6.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Bratislava Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $7.00
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $7.11

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 (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.78
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • 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
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
  • Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bratislava 19
    Rio de Janeiro 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:

  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $21
  • Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $104
  • Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $144
  • Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $159
  • Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $181
  • Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $201
  • 6-Hour Carpathian Wine Tour and Tasting: $210

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 Bratislava and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Bratislava is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava 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 Bratislava Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bratislava. When comparing the sizes of Bratislava 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 Bratislava 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 Bratislava has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bratislava and Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Bratislava in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bratislava is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 23°C (73°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bratislava usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Bratislava gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Bratislava 23°C (73°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bratislava as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Bratislava for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bratislava is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Bratislava usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Bratislava gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Bratislava 12°C (54°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Bratislava are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bratislava can be very cold. In the winter, Bratislava is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bratislava in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

In January, Bratislava usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Bratislava gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Bratislava 2°C (36°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Bratislava during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.

In April, Bratislava is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 13°C (55°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Bratislava usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Bratislava gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Bratislava 13°C (55°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Bratislava

Bratislava Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)