Travel Budget for Cusco Visit Cusco on a Budget or Travel in Style

Cusco, Departamento de Cusco, Peru

How much does it cost to travel to Cusco?

You should plan to spend around $50 (S/.188) per day on your vacation in Cusco. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $13 (S/.48) on meals
  • $9.84 (S/.37) on local transportation
  • $45 (S/.169) on hotels

A one week trip to Cusco for two people costs, on average, $697 (S/.2,629). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $50
    S/.188
  • One Week Per person
    $349
    S/.1,314
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $697
    S/.2,629
  • One Month Per person
    $1,495
    S/.5,633
  • One Week For a couple
    $697
    S/.2,629
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $1,395
    S/.5,257
  • One Month For a couple
    $2,989
    S/.11,265
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Cusco cost?

A one week trip to Cusco usually costs around $349 (S/.1,314) for one person and $697 (S/.2,629) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Cusco on average costs around $697 (S/.2,629) for one person and $1,395 (S/.5,257) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Cusco will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Cusco on average costs around $1,495 (S/.5,633) for one person and $2,989 (S/.11,265) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Cusco has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Cusco expensive to visit?

Cusco is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Peru, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within South America, Cusco is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Tena or Bogota.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Cusco Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Cusco?

The average Cusco trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cusco travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) S/.169 ($45)
Local Transportation 1 S/.37 ($10)
Food 2 S/.48 ($13)
Entertainment 1 S/.108 ($29)
Tips and Handouts 1 S/.7 - 20 ($2 - 5)
Alcohol 2 S/.18 - 53 ($5 - 14)
Accommodation Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Cusco is $22 (S/.84). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Cusco is $45 (S/.169). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $22
    S/.84
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $45
    S/.169

Hotel Prices in Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Cusco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Cusco based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $40. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Cusco is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $9.84 (S/.37) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cusco.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $9.84
    S/.37

Recommended Services


Flights to Cusco
How much does it cost to go to Cusco? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Cusco
The price of renting a car in Cusco will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Cusco?

Typical prices for Transportation in Cusco are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cusco, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi Ride
    S/.4.00


Food Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Cusco can vary, the average cost of food in Cusco is $13 (S/.48) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Cusco should cost around $5.12 (S/.19) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Cusco is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $13
    S/.48

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Cusco?

Typical prices for Food in Cusco are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cusco, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Sandwich
    S/.8.00
  • Mango
    S/.2.00


Entertainment Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Cusco typically cost an average of $29 (S/.108) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $29
    S/.108

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Cusco?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Cusco are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cusco, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Salsa Class
    S/.10


Tips and Handouts Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Cusco is $3.60 (S/.14) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Cusco is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $3.60
    S/.14


Alcohol Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $9.34 (S/.35) on alcoholic beverages in Cusco per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $9.34
    S/.35

Recommended


Water Budget in Cusco
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.45 (S/.5.47) on bottled water in Cusco per day. The public water in Cusco is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.45
    S/.5.47


Cusco On a Budget
Cusco The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, Plaza del Armas, Cusco, Peru
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
Sights
As a historically famous city, Cusco has plenty of beautiful colonial architecture as well as lingering remnants from the days of the Inca Empire. Interspersed with this historic culture is the modern amenities and nightlife that caters to the modern tourist.

Popular sights around town worth seeing include the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporaneo, Museo Historico Regional, Santa Catalina Convent, Qoricancha, and Monumento Pachacuteq.

In the nearby area you will find a lot of ruins, with some of the most impressive being Sacsayhuanman. On this site was the 1536 battle between Pizarro's army and the Inca army. It should absolutely be on your list of things to see, perhaps if you're visiting Cusco over 5 days or so.
Neighborhoods
There are several neighborhoods of interest for tourists in Cusco. Plaza de Armas is the city's main square and also the center for tourist activity. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants in the area and there is a large fountain at the center of the neighborhood. There are also many tour companies here.

San Blas is the home of many artists and craftsmen. There are also excellent views and some great places to grab a bite to eat. It has a quieter nightlife than Plaza de Arma and has a few hotels where you can stay.

Plaza de las Nazarenas is a quiet area with several museums and sights that appeal to visitors.

Plaza San Francisco has many market stalls, the Museo y Convento de San Francisco, and several historic churches.

Plaza Regocijo is just a block from Plaza de Armas. This is a garden square and originally hosted many dance festivals.

Zona Avenida Sol has many artisan shops between the Plaza de Armas and the Inca sun temple at Korikancha.

Activities
If you're looking to get outdoors and see the surrounding areas, some fun activities that are nearby include white water rafting, mountain biking, and canoeing. But first, spend a few days around town to get used to the high elevation. (Read this advice about managing the elevation in Cusco and Machu Picchu.) Alternatively there are a handful of tours that you can book to help you explore the surrounding areas. You'll find countless archaeological sites in the area (not just Machu Picchu) and it's worth choosing at least a few to visit.
Food and Dining
Plenty of good cheap food options can be found around town as well as some great local specialties. If you're on a budget, pizza is always a safe option, but if you're more adventurous consider trying some of the delicious local specialties that are rich in flavor and usually cheaper than western food.

Alpaca steak is worth trying. A traditional Peruvian dish is lomo saltado, which is beef tips that are stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and spices. It's served with french fries and rice. Papa rellena is a stuffed potato that is filled with beef, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and vegetables.

The cheapest place to grab food is San Pedro. This market is just to the east of the train station for Machu Picchu.

Transportation
Most people choose to arrive in Cusco by plane. There are daily flights between Cusco and Lima that are convenient and reasonably priced. Alternatively, there are buses that connect Cusco to Lima or Arequipa. These buses can be slow and tedious, but the views along the route make the trip well worth it.

Once in Cusco, you can walk around the city center quite easily, but there is no shortage of taxis as well. If you're out late at night then it is best to take a taxi instead of walking, particularly if you're traveling alone.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.