A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Minsk vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Minsk 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 Minsk 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: Minsk or Rio de Janeiro?

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

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 in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Minsk?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Minsk and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Rio de Janeiro $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.

Hotels in Minsk


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Rio de Janeiro $8.04

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
    $2.96

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 Minsk or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Minsk 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 day
    Minsk $21
    Rio de Janeiro $20

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
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.79
  • Hamburger
    $0.99

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.
    Minsk $20
    Rio de Janeiro $22

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 day
    Minsk $14
    Rio de Janeiro $12

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 Minsk and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Minsk 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 Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro than you might in Minsk.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk 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 Minsk has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Minsk or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Rio de Janeiro.

In the summer, Minsk is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minsk in July average around 19°C (66°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, Minsk usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 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 January
    Minsk 19°C (66°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Rio de Janeiro.

In October, Minsk is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (47°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 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 April
    Minsk 8°C (47°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Minsk can get quite cold in the winter. Minsk is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

In January, Minsk usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 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 July
    Minsk -5°C (22°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Minsk is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minsk in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 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 October
    Minsk 8°C (46°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Minsk

Minsk Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)