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

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

Mykonos

Mykonos, a Greek Island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, is part of the Cyclades group. Mykonos is one of the most touristy islands in the Aegean Sea and is famous for its whitewashed buildings that climb up the hill along with historic windmills, stunning hillside views, and fantastic seafood restaurants. Because of its popularity, Mykonos comes with a hefty tourist markup. Many passengers arrive here as part of a cruise, so during the day its small streets can become crowded with tourists and its harbor fills with large ships. August and July are the most popular times to visit, so if you're hoping to avoid to crowds it's best to come a few months earlier.

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 Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Mykonos?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mykonos is €149, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €99. 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 Mykonos and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mykonos 74
    Rio de Janeiro 62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mykonos 148
    Rio de Janeiro 124
Compare Hotels in Mykonos and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Mykonos 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 Mykonos


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: Mykonos Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mykonos 24
    Rio de Janeiro 7.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mykonos

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Mykonos:


  • Bus to Paradise Beach (for 2)
    5.60
  • Taxi to Kalafatis
    13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mykonos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mykonos:

  • 24 Hour Private Transfer Service All Around Mykonos Island: $27
  • 24 Hours Mykonos Private Transfer: $87
  • Arrival-Departure Private Transfer in Mykonos+Point to Point Transfer services.: $65
  • Boat Tour / Transfer in Mykonos: $746
  • Delos Island: Roundtrip Boat Transfer from Mykonos Island: $31
  • From Helicopter Transfer to Athens or Greek Island: $2,557
  • Mykonos Airport (JMK) to Mykonos - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
  • Mykonos Airport or Port from/to Point to Point Private Transfers: $212
  • Mykonos Airport: Private Mykonos, Elia, or Kalafati Transfer: $81
  • Mykonos Port or Airport Private Transfer : $76
  • Mykonos Private Short Distance Transfer Up To 12 Persons: $189
  • Mykonos Private Transfer From Hotel, Port and Airport: $109

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
    2.75

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
  • Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $17
  • Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $18
  • Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $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
  • 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 Mykonos or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Mykonos 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
    Mykonos 48
    Rio de Janeiro 19
Typical Food Prices in Mykonos

Some typical examples of dining costs in Mykonos are as follows:


  • Two Ice cream Cones
    4.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mykonos

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mykonos.

  • Traditional Lunch or Dinner at the Mykonian Spiti: $69
  • Traditional Lunch or Dinner with Drinks in Mykonos: $71
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Light Dinner & Drinks: $100
  • Food Tour in Mykonos - 10 Tastings : $108
  • Cooking Class with Food and Wine: $160
  • Cooking Classes in Mykonos Greece: $163
  • Private Cooking Class on Naxos Island with Pick Up: $196
  • Private Authentic Greek Brunch Cooking Class in Mykonos with a Local: $254
  • Private Food Tour & Wine Tasting In Tinos Island with a Local: $283
  • Private Cooking Class At The Home Of A Mykonian Family: $607

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
    0.92

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: $45
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
  • THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
  • Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mykonos 23
    Rio de Janeiro 20

Tours and Activities in Mykonos

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mykonos are as follows:

  • Old Town Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Paddle Boat Experience: $16
  • Cellar Tour & Beer Tasting at Mykonos Brewing Company : $30
  • Highlights Walking Tour with a Local: $37
  • Mykonos Walking Tour: $42
  • Mykonos Old Town Walking Tour: $42
  • Half-Day City Walking Tour and Island Bus Tour: $43
  • From Ano Mera Farm Tour: $48
  • Super Paradise Beach: Wakeboarding Experience: $48
  • From Mykonos Town: Guided Sightseeing Tour with Windmills: $48
  • Half-Day Highlights of Mykonos Tour: $49
  • Private Kneeboarding Adventure in Mykonos: $49

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: $7.68
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.87
  • Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.81
  • A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
  • Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mykonos 20
    Rio de Janeiro 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Mykonos

Also in Mykonos, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Winery Vineyard Experience with Food & Wine Tasting: $72
  • Tour and Wine Tasting in Mykonian Land : $74
  • Wine Tasting at a Mykonian Farm: $80
  • Wine Tasting Tour at a traditional farm in Mykonos: $82
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Snack at a Local House: $128
  • Ancient Greek Wine Tasting on the Beach with a Sommelier: $128
  • Luxurious All-in-One Mykonos Party Tour with Wine Tasting: $162

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: $27
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mykonos and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Mykonos is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mykonos 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 Mykonos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mykonos 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 Mykonos Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mykonos or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mykonos. When comparing the sizes of Mykonos 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.