A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Salvador vs. Brasilia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Brasilia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Brasilia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salvador or Brasilia?

Salvador

Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Brasilia or Salvador?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $45, while the average daily cost in Brasilia is $85. 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 Salvador and Brasilia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $25
    Brasilia $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $50
    Brasilia $72
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Brasilia

Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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.

Hotels in Salvador


Hotels in Brasilia


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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Brasilia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.15
    Brasilia $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Airport Transfer - Sauípe Resorts 05 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30
  • Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
  • Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
  • Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $33
  • Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $74
  • Iberostar Praia do Forte, In/Out transfers: $87
  • One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $29
  • Praia do Forte to Salvador Airport SSA-Departure Private Transfer: $35
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer Between Airport and Hotel (COVID-19 Prepared): $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Brasilia?

Prices for flights to both Brasilia and Salvador 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
    Salvador $13
    Brasilia $33
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

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

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $104
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $156
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.80
    Brasilia $20

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $8.02
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $23
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Brasilia

Here are a few actual costs in Brasilia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Brasilia Tour: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.51
    Brasilia $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.40
  • Drinks
    $2.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador

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

  • Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Brasilia, we can see that Brasilia is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Brasilia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brasilia than you might in Salvador.

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


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Brasilia?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Brasilia. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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.