Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or El Calafate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Calafate can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or El Calafate?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
El Calafate
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.74El Calafate $9.55
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $9.74, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $9.55. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Calafate in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $3.92El Calafate $3.24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.84El Calafate $6.48
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Calafate
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or El Calafate? 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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and El Calafate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.49El Calafate $3.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
-
Taxi from Airport$0.13
-
Local Bus$0.00
-
Metro Ride$0.00
-
Taxi to airport$0.03
-
Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City - ROUND TRIP: $266
- Transfer from EZEIZA or AEP Airport + Private City Tour: $210
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Port to Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE): $52
- Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal: $80
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $52
- Transfer between airports (EZE-AEP): $75
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $68
- Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel : $44
- Transfer Airports-City Tours-Connections between airports-Airport Transfers //: $110
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $76
- Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in El Calafate
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in El Calafate:
-
Taxi$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Downtown: $26
- Laguna de Los Tres Transfer & Self-Guided Hike: $168
- Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $304
- Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $12
- Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $60
- One Way Transfer from Airport-Hotel downtown(Calafate) vice versa: $19
- Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $410
- Perito Moreno Glacier Expedition: In & Out Transfer Included: $142
- Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $50
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Calafate): $35
- Round trip transfer to Moreno Glacier: $150
- Roundtrip transfer in Private Car from Calafate Airport (FTE)- Calafate City: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or El Calafate?
Prices for flights to both El Calafate and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $3.08El Calafate $3.51
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
-
Lunch$0.02
-
Cup of Coffee$0.01
-
Empandas$0.02
-
Espresso$0.01
-
Dinner (Pizza)$0.01
-
Ice Cream$0.01
-
Breakfast at Airport$0.04
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
-
Sweets$0.01
-
Hot Dog$0.01
-
Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
-
Lunch for 2$0.16
-
Cake and Coffee$0.50
-
Dinner$1.78
-
Powerade$0.11
-
Lunch$0.79
-
Dinner$1.15
-
Chocolate$2.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $35
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Argentine Empanadas Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $45
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $47
- Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $49
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Experience: $49
Typical Food Prices in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dessert$0.01
-
Dinner$1.71
-
Dinner$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo: $48
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $100
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner from Calafate: $155
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $186
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $204
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $212
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.16El Calafate $3.51
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
-
Movie Ticket$0.02
-
Tango Class$0.03
-
Bar entrance$0.55
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $47
- Premium Buenos Aires by Night Small-Group City Tour: $59
- Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $127
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Getting to Know the Best of Buenos Aires: $35
- 3-Hour Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barraca: $45
- 3-Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisian: $45
- 5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (optional street food): $35
- 8 Hours Guided Bike Tour in Delta El Tigre: $140
- 8-Hour Tour of the South Bank of the Río de la Plata: $200
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $137
Typical Entertainment Prices in El Calafate
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for El Calafate's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Glacerium Museum$1.32
Tours and Activities in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bus ticket to Puerto Natales, Chile: $48
- Round Trip Ticket-Bus to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $60
- El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier classic tour with guide: $62
- Southroad Calafate Balcony Experience with Tour Mode Options: $70
- Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $70
- Perito Moreno Glacier Sightseeing Tour: $71
- From Perito Moreno footbridges + optional Boat Tour : $72
- Panoramic Tour with Punta Walichu: $76
- Full Day Guided Tour Perito Moreno National Park and Glacier: $80
- El Chalten Complete Experience Full Day Tour from El Calafate: $80
- Argentine Cuisine Experience in El Calafate: $83
- Half-Day Tour at Estancia 25 de Mayo Field Afternoon: $84
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.71El Calafate $1.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.01
-
Beer (0.66L)$0.02
-
Cocktail$0.03
-
Alcohol$0.63
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Buenos Aires Pub Crawl: Techno Night: $22
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $42
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $42
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $48
- Wine tour with 5 tastings in the heart of Buenos Aires: $49
- Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending Experience: $55
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $56
Typical Alcohol Prices in El Calafate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in El Calafate:
-
Beer$0.01
-
Alcohol$0.35
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Calafate, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or El Calafate?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 1630 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Calafate, 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.
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.