Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Canberra or Rio de Janeiro?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $135Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $135, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Canberra and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $83Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $166Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Canberra or Rio de Janeiro? 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: Canberra Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $25Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Canberra 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 dayCanberra $35Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$17
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $17Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $39
- Women's History Walking Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $40
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $16Rio de Janeiro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Canberra or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Rio de Janeiro, 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.
When is the best time to visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Canberra during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Canberra is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Canberra usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiro. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryCanberra 20°C (68°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In April, Canberra is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Canberra usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilCanberra 17°C (63°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Rio de Janeiro. The winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Canberra is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyCanberra 11°C (52°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In the spring, Canberra is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In October, Canberra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberCanberra 15°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Canberra
| Canberra | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
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.