Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and São Paulo (SP) are in different regions of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: mountains, sea and rainforest inside the same city; São Paulo: museums, parks and one of the most diverse cuisines in the world in a metropolis that never slows down. For this month's weather, São Paulo has the edge. The two are about 433 km (269 mi) apart, 6h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
The average nightly rate is around R$ 341 in Rio de Janeiro and R$ 547 in São Paulo; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.
Compare hotels and places to stay in Rio de Janeiro on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.
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Frequently asked questions
Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo: which is better?
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and São Paulo (SP) are in different regions of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: mountains, sea and rainforest inside the same city; São Paulo: museums, parks and one of the most diverse cuisines in the world in a metropolis that never slows down. For this month's weather, São Paulo has the edge. The two are about 433 km (269 mi) apart, 6h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo?
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is from May to September; for São Paulo, it is from May to September, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro is 430 km (267 mi) and costs about R$ 334 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo is 433 km (269 mi) and costs about R$ 306 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo?
Averaged over the year, Rio de Janeiro has 10 rainy days a month and São Paulo has 9. São Paulo is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Rio de Janeiro is January and in São Paulo, January. For temperature, Rio de Janeiro is the warmer one (average high of 27° versus 26°).
How many days should you spend in Rio de Janeiro and in São Paulo?
To see the main sights without rushing, Rio de Janeiro calls for 4–5 days and São Paulo, 3–5 days. Since the two are 433 km (269 mi) from each other, anyone with 7 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo with kids?
Both work with kids: Rio de Janeiro (urban beach, trails in Tijuca, and iconic viewpoints) and São Paulo (metropolis; culture and museums; food). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: São Paulo has fewer rainy days over the year.
Can you visit Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 433 km (269 mi) apart, 6h00 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema Beach. In São Paulo: Avenida Paulista, MASP, Ibirapuera Park. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.
