Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Antananarivo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antananarivo or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Cusco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Cusco?
Antananarivo
Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.
Cusco
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntananarivo $71Cusco $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $71, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $50. 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 Antananarivo and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntananarivo $29Cusco $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntananarivo $58Cusco $44
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Cusco? 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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antananarivo $14Cusco $9.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Madagascar: Airport Ivato transfer to hotel: $33
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $58
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $5.40
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $5.81
- Transfers in Cusco: $6.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- Private 1-Way Transfer to Velasco Astete Airport: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
- Pickup from Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel in Private vehicle: $9.52
- Transfer Hotel to Airport in Cusco | Private Service |: $10
- Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $10
- Transfer from Cusco city to the airport: $10
- Transfer From Cusco Airport: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Antananarivo 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 dayAntananarivo $28Cusco $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Private City and food tour in Antananarivo: $98
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.11
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Mango$0.53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class - by Pete: $30
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS DINNER - Short & Immersive Cooking Class: $53
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails, Market Tour in Cusco: $55
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco and Market Tour : $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Eat the Streets, Walking Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antananarivo $24Cusco $29
Tours and Activities in Antananarivo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:
- Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $24
- Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $43
- Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $88
- Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $139
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $147
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $205
- Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.64
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Cusco Inkas Walking City Tour: $2.00
- Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
- Around Free Walking Tour Cusco Historic Center: $2.00
- Cusco Walking tour in English : $5.00
- Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
- Cusco City Half-Day Tour: $12
- Mirabus tour of the city | Panoramic view: $12
- Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
- Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
- Explore Cuzco with a sightseeing tour by open top bus.: $12
- Cusco's Street and San Pedro Market Walking Adventure: $13
- Historical Tour with Pisco Sours and Local Music: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntananarivo $9.48Cusco $9.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
- Cusco Pub Crawl - Bar Tour Cusco : $19
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Cusco, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antananarivo is in Africa and Cusco 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 Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo than you might in Cusco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Cusco?
Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Cusco, 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.