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 $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $55. 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 $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $0.00Mendoza $82
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 $4.05
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: $143
- 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 Low cost Transfers: $17
- Ushuaia Guided Visit to the National Park with Transfer: $140
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
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
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $290
- Huarpe Winery Experience & Lunch at Lagarde. Private Transfer: $240
- Private Transfer + Maipu Vinicolas: $225
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $220
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Asado Argentino Lunch & Visit 2 Wineries with Private Transfer: $190
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $172
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 $5.67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Martial Glacier Night Hike with Dinner & Wine: $100
- Ushuaia Martial Sunset Experience with Hike and Dinner: $115
- Ushuaia - Secrets of Tierra del Fuego - History + Quad + Dinner: $140
- Sunset Emerald Lagoon Hiking with Mountain Dinner: $170
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- 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
- PRIVATE Mendoza Cooking Class & Wine Pairing at Gaston's Home: $109
- 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
- Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $150
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- 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
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 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 Adventure at Fagnano Lake from Ushuaia: $239
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $169
- 4x4 Lake Fagnano Adventure from Ushuaia: $229
- 4x4 Off Road Tour to the Great Lakes with Lunch: $145
- Albino's Eye Glacier Full-Day Trekking Tour from Ushuaia: $208
- Assisted Bicycle Experience at Estancia Tunnel: $189
- Beagle Channel Cruise & Bridges Islands Hike from Ushuaia: $82
- Beagle Channel Cruise & Penguin Watching from Ushuaia: $130
- Beagle Channel Kayaking Adventure in Ushuaia: $109
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $123
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $242
- Adventure: Horseback Riding, Rafting & Andes Experience: $183
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience: $207
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $63
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $236
- Asado Argentino and Wineries Experience: $190
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $200
- Atuel Canyon Tour: Discover San Rafael – Mendoza in One Day: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Mendoza $5.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $87
- 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
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $67
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $85
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
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.