Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Sao Paulo?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
Which city is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$75
Sao Paulo
$41
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $75, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $41. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $60. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
The prices for places to stay in Sao Paulo can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $24, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $48.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
Sao Paulo $24
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$60
Sao Paulo
$48
Food
In Buenos Aires, Argentina travelers spend around $24 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about $12 per day in Sao Paulo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch
$0.23
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Cup of Coffee
$0.13
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Empandas
$0.17
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Espresso
$0.08
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Dinner (Pizza)
$0.14
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Ice Cream
$0.13
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Breakfast at Airport
$0.34
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Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.10
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Sweets
$0.06
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Hot Dog
$0.07
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Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
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Lunch for 2
$1.50
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Cake and Coffee
$4.84
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Dinner
$17
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Powerade
$1.06
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Lunch
$7.61
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Dinner
$11
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Chocolate
$28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Sao Paulo - Pinheiros Gourmet Food Tour (4 hours tour + 3 dishes included):
$45
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Brazilian Cooking Class:
$79
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Cooking Class in São Paulo:
$268
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Private Food Tour in São Paulo:
$278
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Sao Paulo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.62 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $12
Sao Paulo $4.62
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport
$1.22
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.32
-
Taxi
$0.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to GRU International Airport:
$50
-
CGH Airport transfer Sao Paulo city / Hotel:
$38
-
Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty:
$375
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU by Standard Car:
$43
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car:
$82
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van:
$77
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Guarulhos International Airport Transfer:
$100
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to Guarulhos City - One Way:
$122
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to São Paulo City - One Way:
$122
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU):
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo:
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Sao Paulo:
$22
Entertainment
Buenos Aires, Argentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Sao Paulo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $3.17 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
Sao Paulo $3.17
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:
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
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Downtown São Paulo: An audio tour tracing the city's epic history:
$5.00
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Virtual Live Tour of Sao Paulo Graffiti Hosted by Artist:
$25
-
Street art is not for lazy tourists :P:
$25
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São Paulo Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour:
$31
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Paulista Avenue Walking Tour:
$31
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Private São Paulo Historic Center Walking Tour:
$45
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Small Group Highlights Tour in São Paulo:
$49
-
City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day:
$50
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Alternative City Tour:
$50
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Rain Forest Trail - Cantareira Natural Park day tour from São Paulo:
$58
-
Embu das Artes Largest Handicraft Fair Tour from São Paulo:
$58
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sao Paulo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.76.
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:
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Beer
$0.11
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.18
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Cocktail
$0.27
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Alcohol
$6.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
-
4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena:
$69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
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