A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $355, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $57. 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 Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $192
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $384
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $80
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $40
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $97
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $101
  • Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $104
  • Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $101
  • Departure Transfer from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Private Car/Van: $101
  • English Speaking Zurich to Basel Private Car Transfer: $152
  • Premium Private Transfer Zurich to Luzern or (Vice Versa): $293
  • Premium Transfer from Zürich Airport to Zurich city or Zürich city to Airport: $125
  • Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $447
  • Private One Way Transfer from Zurich Airport to Winterthur: $127
  • Private One Way Transfer from Zurich to Lucerne: $122
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
  • Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $20
  • Private Aeroparque (AEP) Airport Transfer TO Buenos Aires City: $23
  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $29
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
  • Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
  • Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Private Transfer from Ezeiza (EZE) to Buenos Aires Cruise Port: $35
  • Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $35
  • Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
  • Madero Tango Show in Buenos Aires Without Transfers: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Zurich 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $121
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.65
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $175
  • Taste Zurich – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $185

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
  • BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
  • BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48
  • BA: Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $49
  • Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $40
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $31

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • Zurich Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.87
  • Zurich Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h45 and 20 audio reviews: $6.88
  • St Gallen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.34
  • Stein am Rhein Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.92
  • Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.92
  • St. Gallen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.92
  • Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.92
  • Zurich Historic Old Town Audio Self Guided Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
  • Reformation in Zurich Tour: $25
  • City tour Zurich milieu: $25
  • Zurichs Powerful Women Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
  • Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $7.08
  • Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.15
  • Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
  • Walking Tour in Retreat Palaces and Trains and Authentic Mate.: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
  • Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Small Group Tour of Buenos Aires Historic: $15
  • Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $33
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
  • Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
  • Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
  • Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $106


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zurich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Zurich is cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zurich usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zurich is cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 220 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

Zurich is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 227 hours of full sun.

Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in April than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Zurich

Zurich Buenos Aires, Argentina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)