Quick answer: Rio de Janeiro runs about EUR 75 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: May-October - dry season, mild temperatures and lower prices; December-February is hot, crowded and expensive around New Year and Carnival.
What things actually cost
| metro ride | 1.20 EUR |
| fresh coconut on the beach | 1.50 EUR |
| caipirinha at a kiosk | 3 EUR |
| Sugarloaf cable car | 30 EUR |
| churrascaria dinner | 22 EUR |
| Uber across Zona Sul | 4 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Feijoada (black bean and pork stew, traditionally on Saturdays) - about 10-12 EUR at a neighborhood restaurant
- Picanha at a churrascaria like Braseiro da Gaveaabout 20-25 EUR per person
- Acai bowl at a juice bar (suco) counterabout 4 EUR
- Pao de queijo and fresh juice for breakfastabout 3 EUR total
- Caipirinha at a beach kiosk on Ipanemaabout 3 EUR
Money mistakes to avoid
- Taking your phone out on the beach or empty streetscarry a cheap decoy wallet and keep valuables at the hotel
- Not booking the Christ the Redeemer train for early morningclouds and crowds build by 11 am
- Hailing street taxis at nightUber is cheap, tracked and the standard choice for locals
- Judging distances by the maptraffic is heavy, so cluster sights by neighborhood per day
Transport without the tourist tax
From GIG airport, an Uber to the Zona Sul beaches costs about 10-15 EUR; the premium BRT bus is cheaper but slower. In town, the metro (about 1.20 EUR per ride) covers Copacabana to downtown, and Ubers rarely cost more than 3-5 EUR per hop.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Rio de Janeiro itinerary.