Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Christchurch?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Christchurch or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch 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: Christchurch or Sao Paulo?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a 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 The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, 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 dayChristchurch $96Sao Paulo $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $96, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $53. 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 Christchurch and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $50Sao Paulo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $100Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $15Sao Paulo $5.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $130
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
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 Christchurch or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $31Sao Paulo $15
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.Christchurch $18Sao Paulo $4.08
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- 8 Day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour: $961
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $151
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $250
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $237
- Arthurs Pass Day Tour With TranzAlpine and Jet Boat Ride : $229
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour: $190
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Christchurch Zipline Tour: $120
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 dayChristchurch $11Sao Paulo $3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $102
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $120
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $538
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 Christchurch and Sao Paulo, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Sao Paulo?
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 Christchurch or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Christchurch during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Christchurch is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Christchurch in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than Sao Paulo. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 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 JanuaryChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Christchurch is generally much colder than Sao Paulo. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In April, Christchurch usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sao Paulo. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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 AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Christchurch is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 6°C (43°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Christchurch usually gets more rain in July than Sao Paulo. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 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 JulyChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Christchurch is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Christchurch in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Sao Paulo. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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 OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.