Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €152Rio de Janeiro €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €98. 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 Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €77Rio de Janeiro €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €154Rio de Janeiro €124
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Rio de Janeiro €7.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS) to Rotterdam- Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Private Direct Transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $295
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $274
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $164
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam, With a 2 Hour Stop: $241
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $208
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $98
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
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€2.73
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: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $471
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $471
- Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam €54Rio de Janeiro €19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
- 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
- WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- Food Tour by Bike: $91
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
- Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274
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€0.91
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rotterdam €32Rio de Janeiro €20
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.08
- 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.27
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.31
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 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: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam €19Rio de Janeiro €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Rotterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (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 JanuaryRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 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 AprilRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.
It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JulyRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.
Rotterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 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 OctoberRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.