A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Galapagos Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Galapagos Islands?

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 Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?

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.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.

Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $24, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $138. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.80
    Galapagos Islands $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $20
    Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Galapagos Islands

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Galapagos Islands? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina


Hotels in Galapagos Islands


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.74
    Galapagos Islands $54
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
    $0.32
  • Local Bus
    $0.01
  • Metro Ride
    $0.01
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.08
  • Taxi
    $0.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • City Tour in Buenos Aires with Transfer to Airport Included: $427
  • Private City Tour In Buenos Aires With Transfer EZE Airport Cruise Port Or Hotel: $376
  • Half Day Private City Tour With Cruise Port Transfer In Buenos Aires: $359
  • 2-Days Buenos Aires Express - Accommodation + Roundtrip transfer + City tour : $324
  • Montevideo Day Trip from Buenos Aires with Lunch and Transfers: $302
  • Rojo Tango Show with private transfers in Buenos Aires: $278
  • Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $272
  • Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City - ROUND TRIP: $263
  • Ministro Pistarini Airport to Colón Roundtrip Transfer: $252
  • Ministro Pistarini Airport to Gualeguaychú Round Trip Transfer: $241
  • Skip the Line: Rojo Tango Show Ticket including Private Transfers: $215
  • Shore Excursion: Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $215

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands

Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $144
  • Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $138
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $55
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $50
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $55
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $50
  • Transfer in + Visit to the giant turtle nature reserve: $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Galapagos Islands?

Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.70
    Galapagos Islands $33
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
    $0.06
  • Cup of Coffee
    $0.03
  • Empandas
    $0.04
  • Espresso
    $0.02
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.04
  • Ice Cream
    $0.03
  • Breakfast at Airport
    $0.09
  • Dinner (Sandwiches)
    $0.02
  • Sweets
    $0.02
  • Hot Dog
    $0.02
  • Breakfast (Take-Away)
    $0.03
  • Lunch for 2
    $0.39
  • Cake and Coffee
    $1.26
  • Dinner
    $4.46
  • Powerade
    $0.27
  • Lunch
    $1.98
  • Dinner
    $2.88
  • Chocolate
    $7.39

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.

  • Argentinean Empanadas cooking (Virtual Live experience): $12
  • 2hrs Private Argentine Cooking Class: $20
  • 3-Hour Buenos Aires Empanadas and Alfajores Guided Cooking Class: $28
  • Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $34
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
  • Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $35
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentinian pizzas Tasting: $35
  • Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $37
  • Tango Porteño Show With Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $38
  • Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $39
  • Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $39
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.92
    Galapagos Islands $35
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)
    $0.09
  • Movie Ticket
    $0.04
  • Tango Class
    $0.07
  • Bar entrance
    $1.37

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: $59
  • Premium Buenos Aires by Night Small-Group City Tour: $67
  • Private Full Day City Tour by Iconic Buenos Aires: $350
  • Private Tour: Full Day City Tour of Buenos Aires: $280
  • San Isidro and Delta Private Excursion Tour: $607
  • San Telmo and La Boca Private Guided Tour : $443
  • Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
  • Small group Yerba Mate Experience with snacks: $35
  • 10-Day Best of Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls Tour: $5,200
  • 10-Day Iguazu & Patagonia Tour From Buenos Aires: $2,225
  • 10-Day Northern Argentina Adventure: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Salta: $5,733
  • 10-Day Wonders of Argentina Tour from Buenos Aires: $4,990

Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.

  • Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels: $38
  • Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $61
  • Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $63
  • Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak and Snorkeling: $64
  • FERRY TICKET From: Santa Cruz / To: San Cristobal (PM): $65
  • FERRY TICKET From: Isabela / To: Santa Cruz (AM): $65
  • Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
  • Half Day Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano & Lava Fields: $80
  • Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
  • Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling in Galapagos Islands: $99
  • Half day tour / Trekking & snorkeling to Isla Tintoreras (Isabela Island): $100
  • The Giant Tortoise Experience | Lava Tubes + Los Gemelos (Shared Tour): $104

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.28
    Galapagos Islands $15
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
    $0.03
  • Beer (0.66L)
    $0.05
  • Cocktail
    $0.07
  • Alcohol
    $1.58

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:

  • Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
  • Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
  • Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires with Tapas: $45
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $48
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $49
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $57
  • Wine Tasting Sessions: $60
  • Asado and Wine Tasting by Gaston: $65
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $65
  • Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $66
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $74
  • Half-Day Nightlife Experience in Buenos Aires: Palermo Bar Crawl: $74

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Galapagos Islands Travel Comparison

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