Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Setubal?
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 Setubal or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Rio de Janeiro?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Setubal Prices
Portugal PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €149Rio de Janeiro €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €149, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €98. 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 Setubal and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Rio de Janeiro €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Rio de Janeiro €108
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Rio de Janeiro? 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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Rio de Janeiro €6.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $24
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
- Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride€2.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio: $282
- Private Transfer From Rio De Janeiro to Buzios: $249
- Private Bilingual Transfer Angra dos Reis, Búzios or Paraty: $242
- TRANSFER - CLUB MED Rio: $225
- Private transfer Rio de Janeiro x Nova Friburgo: $222
- Buzios Private Transfer to and from Rio de Janeiro: $200
- TRANSFER 4 Passengers: Búzios/Angra dos Reis/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio.: $200
- Transfers Rio X Buzios : $184
- Private Rio de Janeiro Layover Transfer & Tour from Airport: $180
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro cruise port to Rio de Janeiro city: $172
- Rio to Buzios Private Transfer - by Alan Denis: $170
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $166
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Setubal 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 daySetubal €60Rio de Janeiro €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $205
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn€0.48
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Corn on the Cob€0.64
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Hamburger€0.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $75
- Authentic Brazilian BBQ & Wine: A Guided Dinner Experience in Rio: $79
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- LGBTQ+ Cooking Class in Rio: Cook, Toast & Celebrate Together: $95
- Brazilian BBQ Cooking & Drinks Class + Patio Party in Copacabana: $95
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $122
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $126
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Flavors of Cooking Class and Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Rio de Janeiro €18
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Evora from Celts to Romans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
- Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
- Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.32
- Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $18
- Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $30
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
- Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $30
- Kayaking experience on DE beaches DA Arrábida: $36
- Sesimbra Walking Tour: $42
- Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $42
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $42
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $42
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $180
- A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $77
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $23
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- One Day Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $165
- Samba Backstage Tour: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Carnival: $159
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $192
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $115
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Rio de Janeiro - Chartered Tour: $300
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $168
- 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $290
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Rio de Janeiro €9.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $156
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $213
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Rio Pub Crawl: Taste Caipirinhas & Local Bar Snacks: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Setubal is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Setubal is in Europe and Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Setubal Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Setubal or Rio de Janeiro?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Setubal has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Setubal or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Rio de Janeiro. Also, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Setubal is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySetubal 23°C (73°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Setubal is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSetubal 19°C (66°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Setubal is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySetubal 12°C (53°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.
In April, Setubal is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Setubal usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSetubal 16°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Setubal
| Setubal | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
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.