Which place is cheaper, Brasilia or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia?
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.
Brasilia
The capital city of Brazil, Brasilia is a uniquely-planned city that was constructed in four years from 1956-1960 in the shape of a large bird or airplane. Renowned for its modern architecture, the city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Brazil, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $99Brasilia $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $99, while the average daily cost in Brasilia is $78. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $62Brasilia $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $124Brasilia $66
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Brasilia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.47Brasilia $21
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 GIG Airport to Hotels in Barra da Tijuca - private transfer: $40
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer: $477
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $70
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfers from Rio de Janeiro Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers from Rio de Janeiro Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro: $113
- Bilingual Private Transfer- Angra, Búzios, Cabo Frio, Paraty, etc: $128
- BioParque do Rio Guided Tour with Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia?
Prices for flights to both Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $19Brasilia $30
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: $50
- Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $52
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $61
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $66
- Rio's Walking Food Tour: $77
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $81
- On the Beach Seafood BBQ 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 Bar Food Tour: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $20Brasilia $18
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 (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.88
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.88
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $8.05
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.05
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $8.05
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Rio Experience: Caipirinha Workshop (2 Caipis) + Funk Class: $9.29
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $9.29
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
Tours and Activities in Brasilia
Here are a few actual costs in Brasilia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Brasilia Tour: $41
- Brasilia : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $11Brasilia $14
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 Lapa: $23
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $23
- Rio: Lapa Pub Crawl with Live Samba, Shots, & Drinking Game: $24
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $33
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $119
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Brasilia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brasilia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brasilia 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 Brasilia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Brasilia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Brasilia. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, 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.
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.