Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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: Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Rio de Janeiro $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Rio de Janeiro $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Rio de Janeiro $7.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry$0.09
-
Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Private Transfer Service: $35
- Private Airport Transfer in Istanbul: $109
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $54
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $34
- Airport Transfer: $58
- Arrival Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport to Istambul, Levent or Taksim by Bus: $65
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Business Car: $54
- Best VIP Istanbul Luxury Transfer: $65
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
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$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $17
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $18
- Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (Galeao Airport To Rio): $20
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice$0.06
-
Turkish Delight$0.02
-
Dessert$0.26
-
Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
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$0.59
-
Corn on the Cob$0.78
-
Hamburger$0.98
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: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Rio de Janeiro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
-
Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
-
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
-
Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.33
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.33
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.33
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Self Guided City Audio Tour of Istanbul: $5.44
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.06
- Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.81
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $9.59
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.81
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $45
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $83
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $841
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: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Rio de Janeiro. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In July, Istanbul is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Istanbul is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Istanbul usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.