Which place is cheaper, Queenstown or Arequipa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Arequipa or Queenstown?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Arequipa or Queenstown? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Arequipa or Queenstown?
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand.
-
Arequipa Prices
Peru PricesQueenstown Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArequipa $62Queenstown $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Arequipa is $62, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $131. 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 Arequipa and Queenstown in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArequipa $25Queenstown $56
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArequipa $50Queenstown $112
Compare Hotels in Arequipa and Queenstown
Looking for a hotel in Arequipa or Queenstown? 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: Arequipa Hotel Prices and Queenstown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arequipa $6.53Queenstown $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.47
-
Bus Ride$0.47
-
Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:
- From Cardrona Ski/Snowboard Rentals & Transfer: $152
- One way transfer to Remarkable or Coronet Peak Ski Fields: $60
- Private Airport Transfer Vice Versa in Queenstown by SUV: $69
- Private Queenstown Airport to Hotel Transfers: $73
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport: $177
- Private Transfers from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka: $177
- QUEENSTOWN:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Hotels: $52
- Queenstown Airport to/from Wanaka Hassle Free Private Transfer: $101
- Queenstown International Airport To and From City Center Transfer: $45
- Queenstown Private Airport Transfer: Door to Door Service: $29
- Queenstown private transfer: $87
- Queenstown to Mt Cook One Way Scenic Transfer: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Arequipa or Queenstown?
Prices for flights to both Queenstown and Arequipa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayArequipa $26Queenstown $62
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.44
-
Lunch$3.09
-
Ice Cream$1.18
-
Fruit$0.88
-
Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.
- Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $17
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $114
- Wine & Food Tour, Scenic Tastings & Paired Lunch: $138
- Queenstown Wine & Food Tour: Scenery, Tastings & Delicious Lunch!: $150
- Queenstown Dinner & Wine Experience (Adults Only) 3 Iconic Venues: $288
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arequipa $20Queenstown $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.94
-
Salsa Class$2.94
-
Movie Ticket$3.21
-
Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Arequipa Sillar Stone Quarries and Culebrillas Canyon Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:
-
Skyline Gondola (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Queenstown
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:
- Queenstown to Wānaka: A Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Driving Tour: $7.99
- Queenstown Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
- Underwater Theatre Experience Entry Ticket: $12
- From the Green to the Grave: An Audio Tour of Queenstown: $12
- Augmented Reality Escape Adventure: $20
- Queenstown Riverside Sauna and Cold Plunge Experience: $21
- Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket: $23
- Private Race Car Simulation Experience: $26
- Gibbston Valley Wines - Wine & Cheese Experience: $29
- Minus 5 Ice Bar Experience with Drink Options: $29
- Odysseum Expierence Pass - 1 Hour Adventure: $29
- Onsen Adventure at Bathe by Aluume Queenstown: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArequipa $17Queenstown $8.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.65
Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:
- Ice Bar Crawl: $23
- Queenstown Wine Tour - Self Guided Audio Tour (Driving): $30
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Queenstown: $63
- Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $75
- Craft Beer Brewery Tour with Lunch: $107
- Queenstown's Original Wine Tour Celebrating 33 Years: $113
- Classic Wine Tour: $127
- Central Otago Wine Tour: $132
- Queenstown Afternoon Wine Tour (Adults Only) | Kiwi Host, Max 10: $142
- Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries: $143
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Winery Visits, Cave Tour & Cheese: $144
- Wine Tasting Tour: $144
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arequipa and Queenstown, we can see that Queenstown is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arequipa is in South America and Queenstown is in Pacific, 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Queenstown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Queenstown than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arequipa Expensive? and Is Queenstown Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arequipa or Queenstown?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Queenstown. When comparing the sizes of Arequipa and Queenstown, 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.