Which place is cheaper, Salta or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sao Paulo or Salta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Salta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Salta?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
-
Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $60Salta $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in Salta is $45. 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 Sao Paulo and Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $28Salta $31
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $56Salta $62
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Salta? 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.76Salta $3.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $130
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $230
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport GRU to Sao Paulo RoundTrip Transfer : $158
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo city hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $138
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Congonhas (CGH) Airport: $123
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $184
- Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $177
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150
- Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Shared Transfer from Downtown Hotels in Salta to Airport: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $24Salta $5.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.89Salta $27
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $176
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $240
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $193
- 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup : $178
- 6-Hour Private Layover Tour in São Paulo from GRU & CGH Airports: $178
- 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $192
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $38
- 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
- 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $88
- Adventure in the North: Pack of 4 Excursions + Hornocal: $132
- Best of Guided City Tour: $43
- Cachi Full Day Tour with Los Cardones National Park: $34
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $278
- From Salta 3 Day Tour to Cafayate Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $88
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $30
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $31
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.38Salta $5.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $29
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Salta, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Salta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Salta?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Salta. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Salta, 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.