Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Ushuaia?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Ushuaia 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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
Which city is cheaper, Ushuaia 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
$74
Ushuaia
$83
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $74, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $83. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $58. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $82 in Ushuaia For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $29
Ushuaia $41
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$58
Ushuaia
$82
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Ushuaia cost around $16 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.40.
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
-
Ice Cream
$0.13
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Breakfast at Airport
$0.34
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Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.09
-
Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
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Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
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Lunch for 2
$1.49
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Cake and Coffee
$4.80
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Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.05
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Lunch
$7.55
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$28
Typical Food prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Meeting with Beavers and Lagoon Tour with Dinner:
$176
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $11 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.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $11
Ushuaia
-
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
$1.21
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.31
-
Taxi
$0.84
Typical Local Transportation prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Overnight Ushuaia - Airport transfers, Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lakes!:
$339
-
Private Airport Transfer: Malvinas Argentinas Int. Airport (USH) to Ushuaia:
$14
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Private Airport Transfer: Ushuaia to Malvinas Argentinas International (USH):
$14
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Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia):
$54
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Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia):
$55
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Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia):
$27
-
Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia):
$22
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Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip):
$19
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Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport:
$35
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Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport:
$35
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Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer:
$18
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.
In Ushuaia, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $92 per person, per day.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
Ushuaia $92
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 Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
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Ushuaia Double Decker Bus Tour:
$16
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Estancia Harberton Museum Admission Ticket:
$25
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Tierra del Fuego National Park Admission Ticket:
$25
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Tierra del Fuego National Park Half-Day Tour with Optional End of the World Train Ride:
$32
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City Tour:
$32
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City Tour "Bajo Cero" + Mini Trekking + Thematic Gallery:
$37
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Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour with optional Museums:
$39
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Ushuaia City Tour with Museums:
$39
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Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour:
$39
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Ushuaia-End of the World tour -National Park 4 hours (shared tour-):
$40
-
Tierra Del Fuego National Park Tour:
$42
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City Tour of Ushuaia:
$51
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.
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
$0.10
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.18
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$6.03
Typical Alcohol prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Ushuaia, we can see that Ushuaia 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.
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