Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Sao Paulo?
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.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 dayKyoto $96Sao Paulo $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63Sao Paulo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.56Sao Paulo $5.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $572
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $327
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $24Sao Paulo $15
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
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.Kyoto $13Sao Paulo $4.08
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Historic Gion Tour in Kyoto Geisha Spotting Area: $300
- Bar Hopping Private Tour in Kyoto: $48
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $154
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $134
- "Unlock Kyoto's Charm: Government-Certified Group Tour: $90
- 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $174
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $39
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $66
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $588
- 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $67
- 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $131
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12Sao Paulo $3.55
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 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 Kyoto and Sao Paulo, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Kyoto during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKyoto 27°C (81°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Sao Paulo. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kyoto is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKyoto 18°C (64°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Sao Paulo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. Kyoto is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKyoto 5°C (40°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kyoto is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin October. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKyoto 14°C (58°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.