A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Sao Paulo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Edinburgh or Sao Paulo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Sao Paulo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Edinburgh or Sao Paulo?

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Edinburgh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £142, 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 Edinburgh and Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Edinburgh £74
    Sao Paulo £24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Edinburgh £148
    Sao Paulo £48
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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.

Hotels in Edinburgh


Hotels in Sao Paulo


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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Edinburgh £17
    Sao Paulo £4.71
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:


  • Local Bus
    £3.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh

Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
  • From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $753
  • Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
  • Edinburgh To The Gleneagles Hotel | Executive Transfer: $291
  • Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
  • Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
  • Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
  • Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $254
  • Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $251
  • Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $242
  • Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $242
  • Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $232

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • airport transfer: $113
  • Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $80
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-RoundTrip Transfer: $77
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in São Paulo HTL-APT(GRU): $61
  • Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $139
  • Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $64
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
  • Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
  • Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
  • Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Edinburgh 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Edinburgh £39
    Sao Paulo £12
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    £8.50
  • Dinner at Filling Station
    £10
  • Lunch for Two
    £15
  • Sandwich
    £1.85
  • Cheese & bread
    £7.23
  • Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    £25
  • 2 Coffees and Scones
    £5.80
  • Turkish Delight
    £1.40
  • Soup at the Pub
    £5.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
  • Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
  • 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
  • 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
  • Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
  • The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
  • Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Edinburgh £20
    Sao Paulo £3.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Show Tickets
    £32
  • Movie Tickets for Two
    £12
  • Donation for Storytellers
    £6.00

Tours and Activities in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
  • 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
  • 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
  • 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
  • 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
  • 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
  • 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
  • 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
  • Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
  • Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
  • 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
  • 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
  • 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
  • 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
  • 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
  • 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Edinburgh £15
    Sao Paulo £2.81
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:


  • Beer & Wine
    £14
  • Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern
    £1.65

Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh

Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
  • Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
  • Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
  • East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
  • Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
  • Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
  • Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
  • Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
  • Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
  • Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
  • The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32

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 Edinburgh and Sao Paulo, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Edinburgh or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Edinburgh 14°C (58°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Sao Paulo. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Edinburgh 10°C (49°F) 
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Edinburgh 3°C (38°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Edinburgh 7°C (45°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Edinburgh

Edinburgh Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)