Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Ushuaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUshuaia $11Mendoza $6.97
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $11, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $6.97. 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 $5.34Mendoza $2.65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $11Mendoza $5.30
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 $1.38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $12
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $8.80
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $8.57
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $12
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $12
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $64
- Transfer to Cerro Castor ski center: $25
- Transfer from/to the airport: $129
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mendoza Tempus Alba Winery + Trapiche + Transfer included: $550
- Visit Trapiche+Lunch El Enemigo (Michelin). Private transfer: $300
- Achaval Ferrer+Almuerzo Lagarde(Guia Michelin).Transfer privado: $280
- Chandon+Lunch Quimera Bistro (Michelin Guide).Private transfer: $260
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $260
- Top Winery and Gourmet Experience in Uco Valley.Transfer included: $230
- Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
- Decero+Almuerzo Susana Balbo (Guia Michelin). Transfer privado: $230
- Atamisque Winery + Lunch at Ruda Cocina. Transfer included: $220
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
- Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $160
- Visit 2 Wineries and Lunch with Unlimited Wine.Private Transfer: $160
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 $2.07Mendoza $3.11
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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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:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $118
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $290
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $93
- Argentinian Cooking class in Grazie Mille Winery in Valle de Uco: $95
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $150
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $160
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Los Toneles Winery+Dinner at Azafran Restaurant (Michelin Star).: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ushuaia $12Mendoza $1.97
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: $165
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5-hour adventure in Panorama Blanco: $179
- 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $130
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $115
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $219
- Assisted Bicycle Experience at Estancia Tunnel: $225
- Assisted Bicycle Experience in Urban Landscapes: $120
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Charms of Mendoza Private Tour 3 Wineries with Paired Lunch: $300
- Rafting and Adrenaline Canopy Mendoza 2 Adventure Activities: $160
- 3 Wineries Tour Half Day: $36
- A walking tour of the fascinating history of Mendoza wine: $15
- Aconcagua short hike, and high mountain tour with barbecue.: $185
- Admire the majesty of the Cordillera: AltaMontaña Experience: $250
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $124
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $155
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $121
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $77
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Mendoza $1.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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Beer$0.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Private Wine Tasting in the Vineyards Facing the Andes: $35
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $42
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $53
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $100
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $107
- Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $159
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $180
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Mendoza, we can see that Ushuaia is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Ushuaia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ushuaia than you might in Mendoza.
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.