Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Athens or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Cusco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Cusco?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Cusco €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €57. 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 Athens and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Cusco €22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Cusco €44
Compare Hotels in Athens and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Cusco €9.51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $25
- Piraeus Port To Athens City Center Private Arrival Transfer: $25
- Athens Center To Piraeus Port Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer:Athens City to Piraeus Cruise Port: $26
- Santorini Luxury Private Airport, Port & Hotel Transfer: $26
- Athens Hotels to Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Piraeus Port to Athens City Center: $27
- Private Transfer from Athens City Center to Piraeus Port: $27
- Piraeus Port Private Transfer to Athens Airport with Meet & Greet: $27
- Piraeus Port to Athens Hotels Private Transfer with Meet & Greet: $28
- Departure Transfer from Athens City to Piraeus Port: $29
- Athens Airport to and from Rafina or Lavrio Port Private Transfer: $29
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€1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Private Transfer to Ausangate and the 7 Lagoons from Cusco: $210
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado: $171
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $168
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Ollantaytambo: $152
- Private Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $149
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station: $95
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco city or airport- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer to Ollantaytambo Station and Sacred Valley 24 7: $69
- Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Urubamba: $60
- Tourist Transfer from Cusco to Hydroelectric: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Cusco €21
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Greek Orange Pie (Portokalopita) Cooking Workshop in Athens: $47
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $50
- Athens Small Group Food Tour with Private Lunch: $59
- Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $65
- Ancient Roman and Greek Dinner With Ancient Wine Styles: $66
- Classic Athens Food Tour with Local Drink & Market Visit: $69
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $69
- Athens Cooking Class with Central Market Visit and City Views: $72
- Acropolis Food Tour with a Local Friend: $76
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $76
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $77
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich€2.05
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Mango€0.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina, Pisco Sour in Cusco: $48
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $63
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $77
- Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Cusco €28
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Self Guided Walking Tour in Athens Hidden Gems: $2.32
- Ancient Athens Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.52
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $4.98
- Athens Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h20 and 29 Audio Reviews: $6.94
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $8.98
- Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $9.39
- Athens Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.39
- Athens' Podoniftis Stream: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11
- TOP Athens : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Ferry Boat Ticket to/from Methana: $13
- Ferry Boat Ticket to/from Aegina Island: $14
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€2.57
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $48
- 1 Day Palcoyo 7-Color Mountain Hiking Tour: $45
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
- 1 Day Sacred Valley VIP Tour from Cusco: $100
- 1 Day Tour to Palccoyo (Alternative Rainbow Mtn) from Cusco, Peru: $154
- 1-Day Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1-Day Tour Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: $190
- 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
- 2 Day Tour to Machupicchu by Minivan: $145
- 2 days 1 night - Machupicchu by bus tour: $220
- 2-Day Group Tour: Cusco City Tour & Sacred Valley of the Incas: $46
- 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by Minivan from Budget Adventure: $203
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Cusco €9.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $21
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $28
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl w/ Acropolis Views & Party: $41
- Athens Small Group Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting: $58
- Athens Greek Wine Tasting with Sommelier and City Views: $63
- 3-Hour Shared Greek Wine Tasting: $106
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Athens with Tasting: $108
- Wine tasting tour of Athens Greece: $124
- Athens Olive Oil, Raki and Wine Tasting: $129
- Santorini Wine Tasting Journey: $147
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: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Cusco, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Cusco?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.