Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Ushuaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ushuaia or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ushuaia or Mendoza? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ushuaia or Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Ushuaia Prices
Argentina PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUshuaia $0.00Mendoza $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $59. 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 Ushuaia and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUshuaia -Mendoza $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $0.00Mendoza $88
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia or Mendoza? 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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Mendoza $4.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia:Trekking Glaciar & Ice Caves W/Lunch and Transfer: $176
- Transfers to Cerro Castor: $20
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $7.00
- National Park, Train and Navigation. Airport transfer included: $204
- Husky Trekking with Transfer: $62
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $138
- Complete Husky Experience + Buoy Park with Transfer: $124
- Antarctic Experience W/Snowmobile Ride & Transfer: $242
- Airport Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Ushuaia Low cost Transfers: $17
- Ushuaia Guided Visit to the National Park with Transfer: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $313
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $285
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $260
- Huarpe Winery Experience & Lunch at Lagarde. Private Transfer: $220
- Visit Salentein Winery + Lunch at The Vines Transfer included: $210
- Asado Argentino Lunch & Visit 2 Wineries with Private Transfer: $190
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $142
- Private Wine, Empanadas and Choripán Tour with Transfers: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $116
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $114
- Private Uco Valley Wine Tour: 3 Wineries, Malbec Tasting &Transfer: $90
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Ushuaia 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 dayUshuaia -Mendoza $6.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ushuaia Martial Sunset Experience with Hike and Dinner: $90
- Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
- Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $135
- Sunset Emerald Lagoon Hiking with Mountain Dinner: $170
- Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
- Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
- Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $220
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza: $95
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $180
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $185
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $197
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Winery & Michelin-Star Dinner Saffron barrels. Private Transport: $260
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ushuaia -Mendoza $25
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $175
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $292
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $200
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $163
- 4x4 Adventure at Lago Fagnano from Ushuaia: $236
- 4x4 Lake Fagnano Adventure from Ushuaia: $229
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $290
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $115
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure in the Lakes Fueguinos quadricycles and Patagonian lamb: $199
- Albino's Eye Glacier Full-Day Trekking Tour from Ushuaia: $242
- Almanza Port Tour with Lunch: $100
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Lunch. Private Transport: $130
- 3 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Private Transport: $100
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour with 34 Traditional Argentine Flavors: $95
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $110
- Aconcagua & Puente del Inca Full Day Tour from Mendoza with Lunch: $110
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared: $139
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $65
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $240
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Mendoza $6.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- City tour and Wine tasting: $115
- Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $125
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $80
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil: $99
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $99
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
- Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $121
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Wine tour with lunch: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Mendoza, we can see that Mendoza 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 Mendoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mendoza 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 Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia and Mendoza, 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.
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.