A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Ushuaia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Ushuaia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?

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.

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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Salvador?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and Ushuaia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Ushuaia $5.64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Ushuaia

Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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.

Hotels in Salvador


Hotels in Ushuaia


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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Ushuaia -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $300
  • Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $299
  • Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $280
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $157
  • Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $146
  • Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte: $140
  • Transfer in Salvador: $137
  • Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $132
  • Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $130
  • Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $130
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $126
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • 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 Salvador or Ushuaia?

Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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
    Ushuaia $2.18
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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.

  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $150
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Ushuaia $13

Tours and Activities in Salvador

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

  • Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $150
  • Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $100
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $141
  • Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
  • Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $60
  • Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
  • City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil - En: $137
  • Costa de Camaçari Beach and Praia Tour: $129
  • Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $151
  • Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour: $33
  • Fort Beach Tour and Tamar Project: $108

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Ushuaia -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.37
  • 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: $105

Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Wine
    $0.05
  • Beer
    $0.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Ushuaia, we can see that Salvador 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 Salvador would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salvador 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Ushuaia?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador 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 Salvador or Ushuaia in the Summer?

Both Ushuaia and Salvador during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Salvador is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salvador in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the summer, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in January than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Ushuaia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Ushuaia.

In April, Salvador is generally much warmer than Ushuaia. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (80°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during autumn. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Salvador usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Ushuaia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Ushuaia.

It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Salvador is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun.

Salvador receives a lot of rain in the winter. Salvador usually gets more rain in July than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salvador 24°C (75°F) 
    Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Ushuaia in the Spring?

Both Ushuaia and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Salvador is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salvador in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during spring. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In October, Salvador usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Salvador

Salvador Ushuaia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 8°C (46°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 4°C (39°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)