A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. San Carlos de Bariloche for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche 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 $25, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $18. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $10
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $20
    San Carlos de Bariloche $13
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.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.87
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.60
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
    $0.33
  • Local Bus
    $0.01
  • Metro Ride
    $0.01
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.09
  • Taxi
    $0.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • One Way Private AEP Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires: $6.00
  • Private transfer Vehicle from Buenos Aires city to Ezeiza Airport: $12
  • ONE WAY: Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Transfer to/from Buenos Aires City: $18
  • Private One-way Ezeiza Airport Transfer To/From Buenos Aires: $20
  • Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $20
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $20
  • Private transfer Vehicle from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City: $20
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One-way Private Transfer from 20 USD: $20
  • Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $20
  • Port Transfers with English speaking guide: $21
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Downtown Area: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer AEP Jorge New Berry to CAPITAL BA: $27

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: $60
  • Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Cerro Catedral - Arrival Transfer: $27
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $14
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $55
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $14
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $97
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $27
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $7.00
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $27
  • Bariloche: Private 1-Way Transfer BRC Airport to City: $28

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.97
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.83
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
    $0.04
  • Empandas
    $0.05
  • Espresso
    $0.02
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.04
  • Ice Cream
    $0.03
  • Breakfast at Airport
    $0.09
  • Dinner (Sandwiches)
    $0.03
  • Sweets
    $0.02
  • Hot Dog
    $0.02
  • Breakfast (Take-Away)
    $0.03
  • Lunch for 2
    $0.40
  • Cake and Coffee
    $1.30
  • Dinner
    $4.62
  • Powerade
    $0.28
  • Lunch
    $2.05
  • Dinner
    $2.98
  • Chocolate
    $7.65

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 Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $35
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $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

Typical Food prices in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:


  • Pastries
    $0.03
  • Empanadas
    $0.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Carlos de Bariloche

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Carlos de Bariloche.

  • Half-Day Bariloche Highlights with Cooking Class & Beer Tasting -Private Service: $312

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.20
    San Carlos de Bariloche $7.49
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
    $1.42

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Introduction to Argentina (Virtual Live Experience): $6.67
  • The Life of Pope Francis in Argentina (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
  • A day with an Argentinean Football Fan (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
  • History of Tango (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
  • Palermo Graffiti Tour: $10
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
  • Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10

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: Cerro Campanario Chairlift Ticket: $11
  • Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $14
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $20
  • Cerro Catedral Sightseeing Tour: $20
  • German Footprint Tour: $25
  • From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $25
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $25
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $25
  • Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $35
  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $44
  • Cerro Catedral Tour in English : $45
  • President Peron in Bariloche - Historic Tour: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.44
    San Carlos de Bariloche $4.50
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
    $1.63

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:

  • 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

Typical Alcohol prices in San Carlos de Bariloche

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in San Carlos de Bariloche from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.03


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

Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Buenos Aires, Argentina is bigger, and its population is about 137.1 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the population of Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. 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 and the activities 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.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. San Carlos de Bariloche Travel Comparison

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