Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Lyon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lyon 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 Lyon 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: Lyon or Rio de Janeiro?
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
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 Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 dayLyon €125Rio de Janeiro €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €125, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €98. 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 Lyon and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLyon €53Rio de Janeiro €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLyon €106Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Lyon 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: Lyon Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lyon €17Rio de Janeiro €7.43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
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Funiculaire€5.20
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Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus€19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $79
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $93
- Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $95
- Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
- Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
- Lyon : Private Transfer from/to Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport: $118
- Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $77
- Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $53
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€2.73
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
- Private transfer from Airport GIG to Rio City center-Copacabana: $15
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $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
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $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 Lyon or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Lyon 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 dayLyon €41Rio de Janeiro €19
Typical Food Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
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Pastry€1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
- Street Food Tour: $65
- Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Lyon Street Food Tour : $66
- 3h Lyon Vegan Food Tour: $66
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $67
- Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $77
- Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $81
- Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
- Old Town Food Tour: $97
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
- Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
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€0.91
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.Lyon €20Rio de Janeiro €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€45
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
- Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $4.84
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.74
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.77
- Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.68
- Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.94
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 dayLyon €24Rio de Janeiro €11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2€6.80
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Bottle of Wine€15
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beaujolais Segway Tour with Wine Tasting: $65
- Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
- Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $99
- Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
- From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $107
- Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $107
- Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $107
- From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $107
- Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $107
- Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $108
- Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $109
- Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $109
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lyon 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lyon or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Lyon or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Rio de Janeiro. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.
In the summer, Lyon is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lyon usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryLyon 22°C (71°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lyon is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilLyon 14°C (56°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Lyon is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiroin July. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 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 JulyLyon 4°C (39°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Lyon is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 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 OctoberLyon 11°C (53°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Lyon
| Lyon | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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 | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.