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

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Dallas?

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 Dallas 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 Dallas?

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.

Dallas

Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Dallas or Rio de Janeiro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $106, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $141. 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 Dallas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $67
    Dallas $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $134
    Dallas $168
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Dallas

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Dallas? 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 Rio de Janeiro


Hotels in Dallas


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 Dallas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $8.04
    Dallas $28
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
    $2.96

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $83
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $135
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Business Car: $105
  • Dallas Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $205
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Dallas to Dallas Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
  • Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Departure Private Transfer Dowtown Dallas to Dallas Airport DAL Luxury Vehicle: $83
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $126
  • Plano/Allen to Dallas Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Departure Transfer to Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Dallas?

Prices for flights to both Dallas 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $20
    Dallas $35
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
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.79
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Dallas

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


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

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

  • West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
  • Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $22
    Dallas $13

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: $7.73
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.78
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
  • Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10

Tours and Activities in Dallas

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

  • Historic Downtown Audio Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Historic Dallas Downtown Solo Self Guided Walking Tour : $7.75
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
  • Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • JFK Assassination Walking Tour (Self-Guided): $16
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Denton by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Plano by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • The Assassination of John F. Kennedy Experience: $20
  • John F. Kennedy Trolley Tour in Dallas: $22
  • Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket: $25
  • Historic West End Ghost Walking Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Dallas $12

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

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

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
  • Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55


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


Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Dallas?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Dallas, 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 Rio de Janeiro or Dallas?

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 Dallas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Dallas. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Dallasin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Dallasin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F) 
    Dallas 88°F (31°C)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Dallas. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C)in October.

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Dallasin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F) 
    Dallas 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C)in January.

In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Dallasin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F) 
    Dallas 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city.

In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally a little warmer than Dallasin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in October than Dallasin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F) 
    Dallas 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Dallas and Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Dallas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
May 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)