A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paris vs. Sao Paulo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Paris or Sao Paulo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Paris or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo?

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."

Sao Paulo

With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Paris?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €232, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is €49. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paris 151
    Sao Paulo 28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paris 302
    Sao Paulo 56
Compare Hotels in Paris and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Paris or Sao Paulo? 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 Paris


Hotels in Sao Paulo


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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paris 21
    Sao Paulo 5.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Versailles: Skip-the-Line Day Tour & Transfer from Paris: $2,583
  • Private Transfer to or from Toulouse: $1,399
  • From Le Havre/Honfleur: Private Transfer to Versailles: $1,398
  • Private Transfer to or from Lyon: $969
  • Private Transfer to or from Strasbourg: $969
  • From Le Havre to Paris or back: private one way transfer: $770
  • Transfer Giverny village house Claude Monet 3 pax: $419
  • Private Transfer from or to Beauvais Airport: $406
  • Charles De Gaule Airport Private Transfer: $274
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Round Trip Transfer to/from Paris: $273
  • Private Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Reims / Champagne by Van: $273
  • Private Transfer to or from Beauvais Airport: $269

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $235
  • Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
  • Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
  • Private Transfer from VCP Airport or Campinas to GRU Airport (1 a 15 pessoas): $195
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $181
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
  • Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
  • Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Campinas-Viracopos (VCP) Airport to Sao Paulo Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Paris 41
    Sao Paulo 14
Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • 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
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $53
  • Seine Cruise Departure from Pont Alexandre III with Dinner Included: $64
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Eat, play, love Montmartre: 3H Walking Food Tour -Kids friendly-: $68
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $68
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Le Marais Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo

For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
  • Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paris 77
    Sao Paulo 3.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Île de la Cité: Guided Tour + Sainte-Chapelle Fast Track Entry: $55
  • A Day at Parc Saint-Paul Ticket and Transport Included: $208
  • Day Tour- Normandy Omaha Beach - Cemetery - Cider Tasting: $260
  • Guided Tour to Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Chronicles: $54
  • Notre-Dame Walking Tour with Skip The Line Sainte-Chapelle Entry: $61
  • Paris Boat River Seine Cruise Sightseeing TICKETS: $22
  • Paris Christmas Market Tour: $297
  • Paris City Center Self-Guided Walking Tour : $11
  • Paris Entrance Ticket to the Aura Invalides Immersive Show: $24
  • Paris Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $267
  • Paris Sightseeing Tour with Seine River Cruise from Disneyland®: $94
  • Private Tour in Medieval Paris with Latin Quarter and Panthéon: $251

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
  • 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
  • 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
  • 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
  • 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
  • 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
  • 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paris 24
    Sao Paulo 3.28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Pub Crawl: $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in French: $32
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting in a Royal Wine Cellar in Paris: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43
  • Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $43

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
  • Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
  • Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Sao Paulo, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paris is in Europe and Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paris Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paris or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Paris. When comparing the sizes of Paris and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paris is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 20°C (68°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, Paris usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Paris 20°C (68°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Paris during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Paris in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Paris is much colder than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Paris usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Paris 13°C (56°F) 
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Paris can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Paris is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paris in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

In January, Paris usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Paris 5°C (40°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Paris as well as Sao Paulo. The spring months attract visitors to Paris because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Paris is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 11°C (52°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Paris usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Paris 11°C (52°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Paris

Paris Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)