Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Paris?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Paris or Rio de Janeiro?
Paris
Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."
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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayParis €232Rio de Janeiro €99
The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €232, 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 Paris and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personParis €151Rio de Janeiro €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomParis €302Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Paris and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Paris 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: Paris Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paris €21Rio de Janeiro €7.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
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Metro€6.40
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Train from Airport€9.00
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Metro tickets€6.80
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Train€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer : Paris to the Palace of Versailles Round-Trip : $44
- Disneyland Private Transfer - Luxury Minivan Service: $184
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer for 1 to 3 Persons in Paris: $196
- Private Transfer from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport: $83
- Airport Transfer Service Shuttle Disneyland Paris Taxi: $120
- Airport Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Luxury EQS: $142
- Airport transfer from Paris to Disneyland Paris/Parc Asterix (8pax): $184
- Airport: Private transfer to/from Paris - Charles de Gaulle: $106
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport Charles de Gaulle OR Orly TO La Defense: $23
- Arrival Transfer CDG or ORY Airport to Disneyland París by Van: $125
- Arrival Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Luxury Car: $142
- Arrival Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Luxury Van: $108
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€2.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $466
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $466
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $466
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $466
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $466
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $466
- Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
- EXECUTIVE VAN Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro: $250
- Arrival Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Van: $246
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $244
Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Paris 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 dayParis €41Rio de Janeiro €19
Typical Food Prices in Paris
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
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Ice Cream€8.00
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Breakfast€7.00
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Breakfast for 2€30
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Dinner on River Cruise€86
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Dinner€57
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Cheese€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
- Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $43
- Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $52
- Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $56
- Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $57
- Seine Cruise Departure from Pont Alexandre III with Dinner Included: $64
- No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $67
- 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $67
- Paris : No Diet Club Food Tour - Best Spots in Le Marais: $68
- Dinner with Customized Wine Selection: $74
- Romantic Cruise with 3-course Dinner on Seine River: $77
- Seine River Dinner Cruise from Eiffel Tower: $84
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€0.55
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Corn on the Cob€0.73
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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: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $72
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- 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
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $90
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paris €77Rio de Janeiro €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Louvre Entry for Two€18
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Admission to Pantheon€5.00
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Catacombs (2)€23
Tours and Activities in Paris
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
- Free Walking Tour of Marais: $2.13
- Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.19
- Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.25
- Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.34
- Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.32
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.32
- Montmartre Audio Guided Private Tour: $5.43
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $5.43
- Private Self Guided Walking Tour in Montmartre Paris: $5.44
- Kid-Friendly Marais: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.49
- Marais Jewish Quarter Pletzl Smartphone GPSAPP Audio Walking Tour: $6.00
- Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame Self Guided Audio Tours: $6.32
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $50
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $101
- 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: $281
- 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $283
- 2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro: $110
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayParis €24Rio de Janeiro €11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
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Wine€14
Sample the Local Flavors in Paris
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
- Original Paris Pub Crawl : $16
- Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
- Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $21
- Paris Latin Quarter Pub Crawl Bars and Clubs: $24
- Paris Bar Crawl: $24
- Paris Pub Crawl: $25
- Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $31
- Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
- Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $38
- Paris Nation wine tasting: $42
- Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $42
- Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $49
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:
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $56
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $57
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Paris or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Paris. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Paris as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Paris is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 20°C (68°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Paris usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 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 JanuaryParis 20°C (68°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Paris is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 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 AprilParis 13°C (56°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Paris during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Paris can be very cold. In the winter, Paris is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paris in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
Paris usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rio de Janeiroin July. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 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 JulyParis 5°C (40°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Paris or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paris this time of year.
In April, Paris is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 11°C (52°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 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 OctoberParis 11°C (52°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Paris
| Paris | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.