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 $364, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Zurich and Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    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 $41
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

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


  • City Pass (2)
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $100
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $107
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $117
  • Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $117
  • From Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $361
  • From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $308
  • Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
  • Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Winterthur: $285
  • Private Executive Transfers in Zurich Airport and Zurich City: $217
  • Private Luxury Transfers ZRH Airport to Zurich City in V Class: $168
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $72
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $17
  • Madero Tango Buenos Aires Show Without Transfers: $24
  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $27
  • Private Transfer Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to City: $27
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
  • Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) Transfer with English Speaking Driver: $34
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Downtown Area: $35
  • Port Transfers with English Speaking Driver: $35
  • Private transfer from Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airport: $35
  • Madero Tango Show with Transfer: $35

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 $124
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.60
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

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


  • Breakfast for 2
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

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

  • Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
  • Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156

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: $25
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Lesson: $31
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $32
  • Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $35
  • Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $38
  • Tango Show and Dinner at: Tango Porteño: $40
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $44
  • Dinner at Arte de Mafia, Mafioso Theme Restaurant in Palermo: $44
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Exclusive Italian Lunch or Dinner at Puny Pasta and Grill: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30

Tours and Activities in Zurich

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

  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
  • Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
  • Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
  • Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
  • Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
  • B.A Hidden Wonders Tour Parque Chas and Agronomía Park: $12
  • Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $12
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $13
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $13
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Graffiti Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

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

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $39

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: $37
  • Boutique Wine Tasting: A Unique Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
  • BA: Wine Tasting and Blending Experience in Palermo : $51
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $61
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $63
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85


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)