Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Mendoza?
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 Mendoza 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $57Mendoza $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $57, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $57. 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $40Mendoza $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $80Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Mendoza? 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 Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.12Mendoza $4.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires HTL-APT (EZE): $109
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Port to Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE): $71
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $71
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Terminal to International Airport (EZE): $137
- Transfer Van 6 pax Airport Pistarini Buenos Aires to Hotel Port: $145
- Transfer VIP airport EZEIZA (EZE) Buenos Aires: $67
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE): $116
- Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel: $80
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Temaiken Biopark Tour with Transfer Included: $95
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -: $47
- Tango Show in El Querandí With Transfers: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $114
- From Potrerillos Rafting Tour with Transfer: $100
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $140
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $140
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $55
- Mendoza, Los Puquios: Snow experience + transfer and equipment included: $133
- Cacheuta Thermal Water Park Full-Day Spa, Creole Buffet and Private Transfer: $155
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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
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Food Meals for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.65Mendoza $5.89
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.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48
- BA: Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $49
- Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Francis Mallmann Gourmet Wine Paired Dinner: $265
- Casa Vigil Winery Dinner with Transfer: $360
- Lunch or dinner at Catena Zapata Winery: $460
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $31Mendoza $24
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos): $60
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- 3 Hours Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour: $34
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- 5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires: $185
- @argentinahighlights City LGBTQ tour: $150
- A Local's Grill: Hidden Tigre Island Experience - Grill & Wine: $120
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
- Argentine Asado by Maru. Private experience in Buenos Aires: $140
- Argentine Football Graffiti of Messi and Maradona Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Center Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $20
- Mendoza City: Immigrant Sightseeing Tour – Squares, Museums, Artisans, Casino, Theater: $22
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Self-Guided Bike Tour in Luján de Cuyo Wine Region (Mendoza): $23
- Luján de Cuyo Wine Region Self-Guided Bike Tour: $23
- Standard City Tour: $23
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $24
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Quarter plus Mendoza-Style Snack: $25
- City Tour: $25
- City Highlights Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.34Mendoza $5.98
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 Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $106
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
- Private Bike and Wine Tour at Chacras de Coria: $130
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mendoza, 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 Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Mendoza?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mendoza, 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.