A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Genoa vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Genoa or Rio de Janeiro?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Rio de Janeiro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Genoa or Rio de Janeiro?

Genoa

Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Genoa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Genoa is €150, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €98. 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 Genoa and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Genoa 88
    Rio de Janeiro 62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Genoa 176
    Rio de Janeiro 124
Compare Hotels in Genoa and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Genoa 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.

Hotels in Genoa


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Genoa Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Genoa 8.69
    Rio de Janeiro 7.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa

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

  • Departure Private Transfer from Genoa to La Spezia by car or van: $254
  • From Genoa to Florence Hotels - Private Transfer: $145
  • From Genova: Portofino Return Transfer by Open-Top Bus: $64
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Milan - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Milan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $223
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Portofino hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Genoa Airport Transfers : Genoa City to Genoa Airport GOA in Business Car: $66
  • Genoa Private Transfers : Genoa City to Genoa Cruise Port in Minivan: $66
  • Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
  • From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
  • Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $471
  • 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $471
  • 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
  • Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $471
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $471
  • Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
  • All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
  • TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
  • From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $246

Is it cheaper to fly into Genoa or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Genoa 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
    Genoa 51
    Rio de Janeiro 19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa

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

  • Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
  • Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
  • Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
  • Street Food Tour: $85
  • Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
  • Traditional Food Tour: $91
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
  • Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
  • Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
  • Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
  • Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97

Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    0.55
  • Corn on the Cob
    0.73
  • Hamburger
    0.91

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Genoa 20
    Rio de Janeiro 20

Tours and Activities in Genoa

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.50
  • Lighthouse Entrance Ticket: $8.61
  • Finance and Nobility: Explore medieval Genoa on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Finance and Nobility Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus' House: $11
  • The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket: $13
  • Guided Tour of Rolli Palaces UNESCO Site, Genoa: $15
  • Historic Shops in Tour Through Tradition and Flavours: $15

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Genoa 10
    Rio de Janeiro 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:

  • Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
  • 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
  • CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $126

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


Which is Bigger, Genoa or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Genoa 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 Genoa or Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Genoa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Genoa or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Rio de Janeiro. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Genoa is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Genoa usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Genoa 25°C (76°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Genoa or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Genoa is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Genoa in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Genoa usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Genoa 19°C (66°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Genoa or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Genoa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Genoa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Genoa is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 11°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Genoa usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Genoa 11°C (51°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Genoa or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Genoa is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

In April, Genoa usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Genoa 15°C (58°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Genoa

Genoa Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)