Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?
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.
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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Rio de Janeiro $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Rio de Janeiro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02Rio de Janeiro $7.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
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 - Sauipe Resorts 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
- 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
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $161
- Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $32
- Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $80
- Iberostar Praia do Forte, In/Out transfers: $100
- One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43
- One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
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:
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $466
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $466
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Airport GIG by Luxury Van: $124
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $107
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $60
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Angra dos Reis by Sedan Car: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Sedan Car: $121
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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
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Food Meals for one daySalvador $13Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
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
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
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: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $72
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- 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
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $90
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.85
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Tour to Praia do Forte and Guarajuba: $30
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: $7.66
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.85
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Rio de Janeiro Night Experience: Funk Class + 2 Caipirinhas: $9.14
- 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
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Rio de Janeiro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
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: $109
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 in Lapa: $29
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $56
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $57
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro 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 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 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Salvador. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador or Rio de Janeiro?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Salvador or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Salvador. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySalvador 27°C (81°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Salvador during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Salvador is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salvador in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiro. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSalvador 26°C (80°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.
In July, Salvador is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 24°C (75°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySalvador 24°C (75°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Rio de Janeiro.
Salvador is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Rio de Janeiro. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSalvador 26°C (78°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Salvador
| Salvador | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.