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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget 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 $73Mendoza $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $73, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $73. 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 $52Mendoza $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $104Mendoza $110
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 $2.72Mendoza $5.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Transfers from or to the airport In Argentina Your Best Choice: $110
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $87
- Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel : $52
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $96
- Shore Excursion: Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $243
- Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer Buenos Aires (EZE) to City: $53
- Private transfer to or from Jorge Newbery Airport "AEP": $52
- Private transfer between airports AEROPARQUE/EZEIZA or vice versa: $91
- Private Transfer from the International Airport (EZE): $75
- Private Transfer from Ezeiza to Capital Federal Vice Versa: $68
- Private Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to your Hotel in Buenos Aires: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Argentine BBQ Experience and Winery Visits.Transfer included: $195
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $280
- Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $210
- Classic Wine Tour.Lunch, Tastings, Private Transfer included: $180
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $103
- Gutierrez Rafting with transfer from Mendoza City: $75
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $137
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $64
- Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $46
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
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 $9.83Mendoza $7.56
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.
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Aljibe Earlier Tango Show Skip the Line Ticket W/Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $55
- Tango Show at La Ventana Tango with optional Dinner: $55
- Tango Porteño Solo Show optional Dinner : $55
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $56
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $57
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $57
- Michelangelo Tango Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $58
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $59
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Semi Private Transfer: $59
- Traditional Argentine Food Tour in Palermo Buenos Aires: $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Horseback riding with lunch or dinner in the foothills of Mendoza: $130
- Neapolitan Pizza Class with Lunch and Winery Tour: $175
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $179
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $195
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
- Food Tour: $250
- Argentine Cooking Class at Susana Balbo Winery: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $39Mendoza $30
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buenos Aires walking tour in Small Groups: $28
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with E-BIKE: $65
- Premium Buenos Aires by Night Small-Group City Tour: $59
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food) : $300
- 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires : $30
- 3 Hour Walking Group Tour in Recoleta and Retiro: $1.00
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- 3-Hour Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barraca: $45
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour of the Most Exclusive Places: $70
- 5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires: $175
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $152
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires with local artists: $27
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-guided bike tour of Maipu (Mendoza): $15
- Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $23
- Renacer Winery Experience: $25
- Mendoza Highlights: Half-Day City Tour: $26
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $26
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $28
- Guided Walking Tour in Mendoza: $28
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $33
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $36
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Walking Tour of the City: $39
- From 3 Wineries, Olive Oil Factory Tour & Tasting: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $12Mendoza $7.69
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:
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- Boutique Wine Tasting: A Unique Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- San Telmo Walking Tour and Wine Tasting for small groups: $69
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $78
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $86
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $91
- Bodega Gamboa Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $91
- Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $92
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting Experience (BBQ): $95
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $38
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $41
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $45
- Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $89
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $109
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
- Private Lujan Wine Tour with Gourmet Wine-Paired Lunch from Mendoza: $210
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $216
- Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch and Private Transport: $220
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.