Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Madrid?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Madrid or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madrid and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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: Madrid or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, and The Best Photography Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid €136Buenos Aires, Argentina €9.60
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €136, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is €9.60. 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 Madrid and Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid €77Buenos Aires, Argentina €3.86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid €154Buenos Aires, Argentina €7.72
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Looking for a hotel in Madrid or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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: Madrid Hotel Prices and Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid €19Buenos Aires, Argentina €1.47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $173
- Private One-Way Transfer to OR from Madrid Airport with private pick up: $77
- Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $71
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $53
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Van: $87
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid MAD Airport to Madrid by Luxury Car: $81
- Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Business Car: $80
- Departure Transfer from Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Private Van: $87
- Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Business Car: $80
- From Madrid Airport: 1-Way Private Hotel Transfer: $80
- From Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Transfer: $261
- Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport€0.12
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Local Bus€0.00
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Metro Ride€0.00
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Taxi to airport€0.03
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Taxi€0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Shore Excursion: Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $250
- Rojo Tango Show: Skip the Line Ticket including Private Transfer: $250
- Ministro Pistarini Airport to Gualeguaychú Round Trip Transfer: $239
- Querandi Tango show Vip with private transfer: $210
- LOCAL AIRPORT TRANSFER (AEP) ROUND TRIP with english speaking driver: $200
- Skip the line Boca Juniors & River Plate Stadium and Museum tour with transfer: $196
- Private Transfer: Round trip transfer from/to EZE International Airport: $190
- Private Transfer Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) In Buenos Aires: $185
- Private Tour of Buenos Aires + Transfer Out to Ezeiza Airport: $180
- Colonia Day Trip & Optional Private Transfers from Buenos Aires: $175
- Small Group Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $169
- Soccer Match in Buenos Aires with Transfers and Local Guide: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Madrid 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 dayMadrid €34Buenos Aires, Argentina €3.03
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $27
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $32
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $33
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $35
- Torres Bermejas Flamenco Show in Madrid with Dinner, Tapas or Drink: $38
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $42
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $42
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $47
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $52
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $60
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch€0.02
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Cup of Coffee€0.01
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Empandas€0.02
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Espresso€0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)€0.01
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Ice Cream€0.01
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Breakfast at Airport€0.03
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Dinner (Sandwiches)€0.01
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Sweets€0.01
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Hot Dog€0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)€0.01
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Lunch for 2€0.15
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Cake and Coffee€0.50
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Dinner€1.76
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Powerade€0.11
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Lunch€0.78
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Dinner€1.13
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Chocolate€2.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $35
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $37
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $40
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $50
- Skip the Line Ticket for Tango Porteño Show with Dinner : $53
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
- Argentine Cooking Experience in Palermo: $55
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Semi Private Transfer: $59
- Dinner or Lunch on Grill Revire By Grupo Summa: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid €34Buenos Aires, Argentina €3.12
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Essential: Free Walking City Tour: $1.06
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.26
- Madrid Old Town & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $4.26
- Secrets of Madrids Walking Tour: $4.26
- Marvels of Madrid Walking Tour: $4.26
- Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour: $4.26
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.26
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.35
- Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour : $4.35
- Ticket Entrance to the Madrid Nougat Museum: $5.32
- Mapfre Foundation Entry Ticket: $5.32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)€0.03
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Movie Ticket€0.02
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Tango Class€0.03
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Bar entrance€0.54
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $59
- 1-hour Paramotor Experience in Buenos Aires Argentina: $100
- 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires : $30
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $127
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour of the Most Exclusive Places: $70
- 5hs Premium Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires: $55
- @argentinahighlights Private City Tour in Buenos Aires: $120
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $123
- Alternative Private City Tour: Buenos Aires for second time visitors: $99
- Argentine Asado by Maru. Private experience in Buenos Aires: $150
- Argentine Women Bike Tour: $40
- Arrival from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Buenos Aires by Sedan: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid €20Buenos Aires, Argentina €1.69
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.58
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $11
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $22
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer€0.01
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Beer (0.66L)€0.02
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Cocktail€0.03
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Alcohol€0.62
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
- Argentine Experience: Immersive 6 Course Menu with Wine Tasting : $98
- Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento Uruguay: $147
- Bodega Gamboa Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $169
- Customizable Private City Tour of Buenos Aires + Wine Tasting: $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid is in Europe and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madrid Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Madrid and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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.
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.