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 $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. 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 $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $0.00Mendoza $84
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Mendoza $4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Cerro Castor: $25
- Tierra del Fuego National park taxi Transfer: $299
- Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour & Transfers: $77
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $147
- Antarctic Experience W/Snowmobile Ride & Transfer: $294
- Airport Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Ushuaia in 4 days: Unmissable excursions and transfers included: $270
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Guided Visit to the National Park with Transfer: $140
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Helicopter Flight with Lunch and Transfer: $560
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $393
- Private Transfer to Uco Valley Wineries Full Day: $280
- Clos of the 7 Experience. Winery Visits, Lunch & Private Transfer: $280
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $260
- Tasting Experience and Roast in Sottano Winery– Private Transfer: $230
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $183
- Cacheuta Thermal Water Park Full-Day Spa, Creole Buffet and Private Transfer: $155
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 $5.80
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
- Martial Glacier Night Hike with Dinner & Wine: $100
- Ushuaia - Secrets of Tierra del Fuego - History + Quad + Dinner: $140
- Sunset Emerald Lagoon Hiking with Mountain Dinner: $170
- Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $185
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $234
- Ushuaia-Premier Pass (Motorcycle + Snowmobile + Skiing + Tubes + Snowshoes + Quad + Lunch + Pizza): $290
- Fire and Snow Night Tour with Dinner: $307
- Snow Adventure with Dinner & Transfers: $315
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $194
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ushuaia -Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 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 Adventure at Fagnano Lake from Ushuaia: $239
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $173
- 4x4 Adventure - Lakes Off Road with Roast: $160
- 4x4 Lake Fagnano Adventure from Ushuaia: $229
- 5-Hour National Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $245
- 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $150
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $290
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure through Lagos 4X4 in Ushuaia: $198
- Albino's Eye Glacier Full-Day Trekking Tour from Ushuaia: $266
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
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- Aconcagua & Puente del Inca Full Day Tour from Mendoza with Lunch: $110
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Relaxation in Mendoza Rafting and Cacheuta Springs: $237
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $64
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Mendoza $5.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- City tour and Wine tasting: $125
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $95
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.