Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bucharest or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Sao Paulo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Sao Paulo?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Sao Paulo $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $53. 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 Bucharest and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Sao Paulo $30
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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.
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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Sao Paulo $5.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest to Sofia - Private Transfer: $584
- Bucharest to Sofia Private Transfer: $451
- Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu - Private Transfer: $346
- Mihail Kogalniceanu to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $346
- Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo - Private Transfer: $325
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer: $325
- Bucharest to Craiova - Private Transfer: $303
- Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $290
- Bucharest to Tulcea - Private Guided Transfer - Driver and Car : $285
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $285
- Bucharest to Brasov - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda International Airport: $274
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer - Car and Driver: $274
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Sao Paulo $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
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.Bucharest $15Sao Paulo $4.08
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $251
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $93
- Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $93
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $174
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $208
- 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $260
- 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,761
- 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $563
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $99
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Bucharest City: $88
- 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brasov,Sibiu and Sighisoara Tour from Bucharest: $252
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Dracula's Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Peles Castle, Sighisoara and Libearty Brown Bear Sanctuary with Overnight in Brasov: $204
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.28Sao Paulo $3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
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 Bucharest and Sao Paulo, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bucharest or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBucharest 23°C (73°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Bucharest is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin April. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBucharest 13°C (55°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Sao Paulo. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. Bucharest is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBucharest -1°C (29°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In the spring, Bucharest is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBucharest 12°C (54°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.