Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €131Rio de Janeiro €99
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €99. 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 Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Rio de Janeiro €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Rio de Janeiro €7.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Cascais | Sintra | Estoril: $29
- Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $33
- Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $95
- Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $87
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City by Luxury Van: $48
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $65
- Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
- Departure Private Transfer by Business Car from Lisbon to Lisbon airport LIS: $37
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
- Fátima Private Transfer:To/From the Lisbon Airport: $203
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€2.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $55
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $97
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $25
- Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $76
- Transfer in Rio: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €42Rio de Janeiro €19
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $54
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $69
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€0.55
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Corn on the Cob€0.73
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Hamburger€0.92
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Rio de Janeiro €20
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
- Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.25
- Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.25
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.25
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.79
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.33
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.33
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.33
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.33
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.53
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $49
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $98
- 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: $273
- 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $275
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Rio de Janeiro €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $42
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52
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 Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Lisbon is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 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 JanuaryLisbon 23°C (73°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Lisbon is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 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 AprilLisbon 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Rio de Janeiro. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Lisbon is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 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 JulyLisbon 12°C (53°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
Lisbon is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 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 OctoberLisbon 16°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.