Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Rio de Janeiro 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: Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Islamabad and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.
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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
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 Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Rio de Janeiro $12
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 Islamabad and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro than you might in Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Rio de Janeiro.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Islamabad is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Rio de Janeiro.
In April, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.