Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Malaga or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Rio de Janeiro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Rio de Janeiro?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Rio de Janeiro €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, 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 Malaga and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Rio de Janeiro €62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Rio de Janeiro €7.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $46
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $57
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport to Granada Hotel or Family House in Private Transfer: $189
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
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 Malaga or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Malaga 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMalaga €35Rio de Janeiro €19
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
-
Dinner for 2€30
-
Dinner for 2€44
-
Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn€0.55
-
Corn on the Cob€0.73
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Rio de Janeiro €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos€7.10
-
Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Rio de Janeiro €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
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 Malaga and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Malaga or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°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, Malaga usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMalaga 25°C (77°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Rio de Janeiro. The autumn months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMalaga 19°C (67°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
Malaga is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMalaga 12°C (54°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Malaga is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMalaga 16°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Malaga
| Malaga | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.