Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 dayKyoto $96Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.56Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $572
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $327
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $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:
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Airport GIG by Luxury Van: $125
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $60
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $24Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $58
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
- Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $64
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65
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.Kyoto $13Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.15
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.14
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.54
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.54
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.54
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.54
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.54
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.54
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.54
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour. Up to 6 people!: $6.54
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $7.19
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.61
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: $7.73
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.78
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
- Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $84
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
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 comparing the travel costs between Kyoto and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kyoto is in Asia and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKyoto 27°C (81°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Kyoto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
In October, Kyoto is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKyoto 18°C (64°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kyoto. Kyoto is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Kyoto usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKyoto 5°C (40°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kyoto is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kyoto usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKyoto 14°C (58°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.