Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Sao Paulo?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Sao Paulo $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Sao Paulo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Sao Paulo $5.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $235
- Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Private Transfer from VCP Airport or Campinas to GRU Airport (1 a 15 pessoas): $195
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $181
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
- Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Campinas-Viracopos (VCP) Airport to Sao Paulo Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $15Sao 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.Islamabad $9.48Sao Paulo $4.08
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Sao Paulo $3.55
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 Islamabad and Sao Paulo, we can see that Sao Paulo 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 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 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Islamabad or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. It's quite rainy in Islamabad. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin January. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and Islamabad during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Islamabad is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Sao Paulo.
In the winter, Islamabad is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.
In January, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Sao Paulo.
In April, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Islamabad usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.