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

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Should you visit Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong 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: Hong Kong or Rio de Janeiro?

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Hong Kong?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $160, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $111. 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 Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hong Kong $75
    Rio de Janeiro $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hong Kong $150
    Rio de Janeiro $140
Compare Hotels in Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong


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: Hong Kong Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hong Kong $8.72
    Rio de Janeiro $8.38
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong

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


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

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
    $3.08

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
  • VIP Transfer Rio de Janeiro x Ilha Grande (15 max): $760
  • Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $57
  • Try find your better than us !Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (GIG): $52
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $24
  • 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): $24
  • Transfer to Rio Carnival Parade - Sambadrome: $75
  • Transfer in Rio: $35
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Hong Kong 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
    Hong Kong $33
    Rio de Janeiro $21
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $11

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
    $0.62
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.82
  • Hamburger
    $1.03

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: $39
  • 3-Hour Shared Food Tour in Copacabana: $40
  • Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $41
  • Food Tour Copacabana: $45
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $74
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
  • 9-Recipes Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $86
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $91
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $92

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hong Kong $95
    Rio de Janeiro $23
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong

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


  • Peak Tram
    $7.67
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Tours and Activities in Hong Kong

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

  • Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $110
  • Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $31
  • Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
  • Private VIP Tour of Rio de Janeiro with All Inclusive: $356
  • 1–Day Arraial & Búzios Tour: Paradise in the Coast of Rio de Janeiro: $590
  • 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $249
  • 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $305
  • 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $285
  • 2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro: $110
  • 2–Day Private Tour of Arraial do Cabo and Búzios with Pick Up: $940
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Rio de Janeiro and Petropolis: $373
  • 2-Hour Rio de Janeiro Graffiti Guided Walking Tour: $33
  • 20-Minutes Private Guided Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $550

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hong Kong $21
    Rio de Janeiro $13

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:

  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $18
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $26
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $57
  • 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: $130
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $231

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hong Kong is in Asia 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Rio de Janeiro.

Which is Bigger, Hong Kong or Rio de Janeiro?

Hong Kong is bigger, and its population is about 16% larger than the population of Rio de Janeiro. When comparing the population of Hong Kong vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.

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.
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Hong Kong vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

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