Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit London or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Sao Paulo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: London or Sao Paulo?
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, 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 dayLondon £190Sao Paulo £42
The average daily cost (per person) in London is £190, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is £42. 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 London and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLondon £123Sao Paulo £24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLondon £246Sao Paulo £48
Compare Hotels in London and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in London 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: London Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.London £26Sao Paulo £4.71
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride£15
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Heathrow Express£18
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Luggage Storage£8.00
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London Map£1.29
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Oyster Card£36
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)£22
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Oyster Card£27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Cruise Terminals: Private Transfer to London: $1,309
- London Luton Airport (LTN): Transfer to Southampton Port: $835
- Southampton Port Transfer with Stonehenge stop-over included: $755
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR): Transfer to Bristol city: $685
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW): Transfer to Southampton Port: $654
- Private Transfer London Heathrow Airport to Southampton Port: $577
- Private Transfer Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal: $565
- Private Transfer From Southampton Cruise Terminal to London: $565
- Harry Potter Family Package Tickets with Transfer: $502
- Harry Potter Family Package with Transfers from London: $502
- London Stansted Airport (STN): Transfer to Southampton Port: $489
- Private Transfer London Heathrow Airport to Harwich Port: $440
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 London or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and London 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 dayLondon £34Sao Paulo £12
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks£13
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Tea£6.00
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason£39
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Morning Tea£6.35
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Pastry£5.00
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Sushi Dinner for One£18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95
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.London £33Sao Paulo £3.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert£83
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London Symphony Orchestra£34
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London Pass£47
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Comedy Show£8.00
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- An Evening in London. Panoramic night Tour by Executive Luxury Vehicle: $229
- Boogie Shoes Christmas Silent Disco Walking Tours London : $32
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tour Camden: $64
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours Christmas Special: $32
- David Bowie "Golden Years" Walking Tour of Brixton & Soho: $32
- Little Venice and Camden Walking Tour: $95
- London Covent Garden: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket: $45
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Medieval Legends, ghosts and fire: $10
- Silent Disco Walking Tours West End Boogie Shoes: $44
- The London Dungeon Admission Ticket: $37
- 'Downton Abbey' TV Locations and Blenheim Palace Tour from London: $221
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 dayLondon £15Sao Paulo £2.81
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
- Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
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 London and Sao Paulo, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since London is in Europe 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, London or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London 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 London has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit London or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and London are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year.
London is cooler than Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, London usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. London gets 46 mm (1.8 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 JanuaryLondon 18°C (64°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit London or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, London is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
London usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. London gets 58 mm (2.3 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 AprilLondon 12°C (53°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit London or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In January, London usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. London gets 52 mm (2 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 JulyLondon 4°C (40°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit London or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to London as well as Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
London is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
London usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. London gets 45 mm (1.8 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 OctoberLondon 9°C (48°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and London
| London | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.