Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Ushuaia -
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$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $467
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $467
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $467
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $467
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $467
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $467
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- Arrival Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Van: $246
- Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Sedan Car: $241
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $240
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Ushuaia: $139
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
- Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $28
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
- Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
- Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $20Ushuaia $2.18
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$0.78
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Hamburger$0.98
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: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Ushuaia $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:
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $49
- 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: $98
- 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: $273
- 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $275
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $173
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
- Guided Tour of the City of Ushuaia: $20
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $22
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
- Ushuaia City Tour: $26
- Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
- An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
- City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
- Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
- End of the World Train Ticket: $45
- Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
- Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Ushuaia -
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: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
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 Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia in the Summer?
Both Ushuaia and Rio de Janeiro during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Ushuaia. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Ushuaia. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Ushuaia.
The weather in Ushuaia can be very cold. Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in July than Ushuaia. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.