Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Osaka 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 Osaka 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: Osaka or Rio de Janeiro?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, 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 dayOsaka $88Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, 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 Osaka and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $45Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $90Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $70
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Osaka to Osaka International Airport (ITM): $150
- Airport Transfer! Osaka Airport (ITM) to Center of hotel in Osaka: $150
- Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
- Arrival Private Transfer from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Itama Airport ITM by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $192
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $237
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $199
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $215
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Osaka: $87
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer ⇋ Osaka: $163
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$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Osaka 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 dayOsaka $25Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $23
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $26
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $37
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $47
- Nosatlgic Namba Osaka Street Food Tour.: $48
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $50
- Home Cooking Class: $51
- Homemade Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka: $51
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $60
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $63
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
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$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $20Rio de Janeiro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.92
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.58
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.58
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.23
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.88
- Tsutenkaku Tower Entry Ticket: $6.54
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.84
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $8.02
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.81
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $12
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $12Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Born & Raised Local Guide: $31
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $39
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $40
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52
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 Osaka and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia 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 Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Osaka or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Osaka during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
Osaka is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryOsaka 28°C (82°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Osaka is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Osaka in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Osaka usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilOsaka 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Osaka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Osaka is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 6°C (42°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyOsaka 6°C (42°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months.
Osaka is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberOsaka 15°C (59°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Osaka
| Osaka | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.