Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche 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 San Carlos de Bariloche?
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 San Carlos de Bariloche 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 San Carlos de Bariloche?
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.
San Carlos de Bariloche
Set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche is the biggest city in the Lake District. Bariloche is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trekking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding in the summertime.
No matter the time of year, there is something for everyone in Bariloche. Skiing season begins from June to October while fishing season is from November to April. Summer is from December to March, but visiting during low seasons (Spring in October to December and Autumn in late-April to mid-June) also has its benefits when it comes to saving cash and avoiding crowds.
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.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesSan Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $77San Carlos de Bariloche $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $77, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $118. 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 San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $55San Carlos de Bariloche $96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $110San Carlos de Bariloche $192
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Carlos de Bariloche? 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 San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.87San Carlos de Bariloche $3.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Buenos Aires Private Airport Transfer (AEP) to City: $14
- Buenos Aires Private Transfer City to Airport (AEP): $14
- Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $17
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport Transfer with English speaking driver: $34
- Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) Transfer with English speaking driver: $34
- Private Transfer from Aeroparque to Capital Federal: $35
- Buenos aires Shared EZE Airport Transfer: $36
- The house of D10S With Transfers: $37
- Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Buenos Aires: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Airport Transfer - Llao Llao Hotel: $86
- Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
- BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
- BRC Airport Private Transfer to Bariloche City Center: $30
- Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Cerro Catedral - Arrival Transfer: $81
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $74
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $50
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $17
- Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
- Cerro Catedral to Bariloche Airport (BRC) - Departure Transfer: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche 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 $10San Carlos de Bariloche $8.35
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.
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $42
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Tango Show at La Ventana Tango with optional Dinner: $55
- BA: Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $57
- Michelangelo Tango Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $58
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Semi Private Transfer: $59
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $60
- Skip-the-Line El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with optional Dinner & Transfers: $62
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $63
- Traditional Argentine food tour in Buenos Aires: $64
- Señor Tango: Downtown Dinner & Show: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $42San Carlos de Bariloche $45
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Tour of Plaza de Mayo and San Telmo.: $5.00
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Historic Buenos Aires: Quest Experience: $9.28
- Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
- La Boca Walking Tour: $13
- Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
- True Crime Buenos Aires: A Walking Tour: $16
- Evita Immortal Walking Tour: $20
- Puerto Madero, its history and architecture. 2 hour guided tour: $20
- Underground Tango Tour and easy Tango class: $23
Tours and Activities in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
- Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $26
- Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $30
- Discovering Cerro Catedral: A Sightseeing Tour: $30
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
- Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $39
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $39
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $39
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $50
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $13San Carlos de Bariloche $12
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:
- Boutique Wine Tasting: A Unique Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $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
- Bodega Gamboa Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $91
- Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $92
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $99
- Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento in Finca del Sacramento: $110
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting & Gastronomy Experience: $122
Sample the Local Flavors in San Carlos de Bariloche
Also in San Carlos de Bariloche, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bariloche: Patagonian Experience wine tasting: $80
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $86
- Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche 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 San Carlos de Bariloche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Carlos de Bariloche than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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 San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche, 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.