Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Rio de Janeiro $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, 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 Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Rio de Janeiro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Rio de Janeiro $7.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (Sedan Executive Class) Transfer VCP Airport • São Paulo: $292
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $124
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $124
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $121
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $142
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $179
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
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $467
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $467
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $467
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $467
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $467
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $467
- 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: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
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
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
- Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $143
- Brazilian Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Casa do Povo: guided tour of Neo Química Arena: $11
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $34
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $39
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
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
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $100
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $175
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 26 - Guided Tour to Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer: $120
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $36
- 3 Hour Sailing Experience in Rio: $47
- 3 Hours Snorkel and Swim with Turtles Tour at Tijuca Islands : $122
- 3-Hour Urban Arts Walking Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $95
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $177
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
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Rio de Janeiro. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro?
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 Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Rio de Janeiro.
Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 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 JanuarySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 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 AprilSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 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 JulySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 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 OctoberSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.