Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Brisbane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro?
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, 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 dayBrisbane $133Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $133, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrisbane $82Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrisbane $164Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brisbane $18Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.91
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Go Card$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Car: $145
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane Port: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $186
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer Service to Brisbane City: $112
- Brisbane Airport to Brisbane Hotels Private Round-Trip Transfer: $70
- Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast Transfer Service: $56
- Brisbane Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Brisbane city: $96
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $52
- Brisbane Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $208
- Brisbane To Brisbane Airport or Cruise Transfers: $99
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$2.96
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 Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Brisbane 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 dayBrisbane $31Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.28
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Cup of Coffee$1.98
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.26
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Ice cream$3.63
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.29
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Japanese Soup$7.60
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Coffee & Muffin$4.62
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Morning Mint Tea$2.31
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.25
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Bread$1.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $165
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$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
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.Brisbane $24Rio de Janeiro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Audio Tour FREE Ticket: $15
- Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $22
- True Crime Tour: $22
- Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour Crime Tours Australia: $23
- Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $23
- South Brisbane Cemetery Ghost Tour: $23
- Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
- Ultimate Urban Adventure | Clue-Guided Experience: $28
- Themed Adventure Game: $30
- Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Original: $32
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 dayBrisbane $51Rio de Janeiro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.91
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Sixpack of Beer$9.25
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Guiness Beer$5.61
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Sixpack of Beer$8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $24
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $50
- River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $65
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $104
- Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $107
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $126
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $131
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $132
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $132
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $134
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 Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane is in Pacific 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Brisbane is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiro. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 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 JanuaryBrisbane 25°C (77°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Brisbane is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 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 AprilBrisbane 22°C (71°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Brisbane during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In July, Brisbane is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Brisbane usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 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 JulyBrisbane 15°C (59°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro. The spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Brisbane is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 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 OctoberBrisbane 21°C (69°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Brisbane
| Brisbane | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 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.