Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo? 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: Cardiff or Sao Paulo?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCardiff £156Sao Paulo £42
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is £42. 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 Cardiff and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Sao Paulo £24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Sao Paulo £48
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff or Sao Paulo? 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Sao Paulo £4.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport CWL to Cardiff by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Cardiff 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 dayCardiff £44Sao Paulo £12
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:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Sao Paulo £3.23
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute Archery Experience in Llangollen: $19
- 30 Minute Axe Throwing Experience in Llangollen: $19
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Cardiff: $22
- Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen: $76
- Canyoning with Beezra Experiences in South Wales: $89
- Cardiff All in One Walking Tour: $62
- Cardiff Bay Boat Tour: $15
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay: Highlights Private Guided Tour: $188
- Cardiff Bay: Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $38
- Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour: $178
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Sao Paulo £2.81
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and Sao Paulo, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff is in Europe and Sao Paulo 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 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff than you might in Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cardiff Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Sao Paulo, 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 Cardiff or Sao Paulo?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cardiff has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cardiff is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCardiff 17°C (63°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cardiff is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCardiff 11°C (52°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Cardiff can be very cold during winter. Cardiff is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCardiff 3°C (38°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cardiff is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCardiff 9°C (48°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.