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.
Jump to 
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.
-
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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Cusco €22
-
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Cusco €9.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
-
Airport Bus for Two€6.40
-
Metro€1.50
-
Metro€2.00
-
Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
-
Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport Athens to Centre Athens: $23
- One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $24
- Athens Center To Piraeus Port Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer:Athens City to Piraeus Cruise Port: $26
- Santorini: Private Airport and Port Transfer Service: $27
- Private Transfer from Athens City Center to Piraeus Port: $27
- Athens City to Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Piraeus Port to Athens City Center: $27
- Piraeus Port to Athens City Private Transfer with Meet & Greet: $28
- Athens Hotels to Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $28
- Piraeus port to Athens hotels Private arrival transfer: $28
- Private Transfer From Athens to Piraeus Port: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
-
Taxi Ride€1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $210
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $167
- Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128
- Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
- Airport Transfer from Juliaca to Puno: $59
- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain from Cusco with transfers and lunch: $55
- Lake Humantay Full Day Trip with Transfers, Breakfast and Lunch: $42
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo to/from Urubamba: $41
- Transfer Cusco to Urubamba: $40
- Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo: $40
- Private Transfer from Sacsayhuamán to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $38
- Cusco to Puno Direct Bus Transfer: $37
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
-
Food Meals for one dayAthens €64Cusco €22
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream€3.00
-
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: $30
- Athens Food Tour (5+ Stops) - Full Meal Included by Do Eat Better: $64
- Ancient Roman and Greek Dinner With Ancient Wine Styles: $65
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $79
- Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $80
- Sunset Tour to Temple of Poseidon with Dinner Stop from Athens: $80
- Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $82
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $82
- Athens Food Tour: Flavors of Asia Minor (private group): $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $82
- Quick Greek Street Food Cooking Class in Athens: $87
- Cook Like a Greek in Athens Hands On Cooking Class with Wine: $88
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
-
Sandwich€2.06
-
Mango€0.52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Bilingual Cooking Class with Pisco Cocktail in Cusco: $40
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cusco Cooking Class Adventure: $55
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
Entertainment
-
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 Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.49
- Self Guided Walking Tour in Athens Hidden Gems: $3.49
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.82
- Athens Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h20 and 29 Audio Reviews: $6.88
- South Slope Acropolis Self-Guided 3D Audio Tour (No Ticket): $8.15
- Athens Interactive City Tour: $8.16
- Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $9.32
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11
- Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth Tour: $12
- TOP Athens : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Athens Museum of Cycladic Art | AdmissionTicket: $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
-
Salsa Class€2.58
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $59
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
- 1 Day Sacred Valley Tour with Moray from Cusco: $61
- 1-Day Tour Sacred Valley From Cusco: $120
- 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
- 2 Day Machu Picchu by Car Tour Scenic Hike and Exploration: $130
- 2 days 1 night - Machupicchu by bus tour: $220
- 2-Day Group Tour: Cusco City Tour & Sacred Valley of the Incas: $129
- 2-Day Guided Tour of Ausangate Trek: $290
- 2-Day Machu Picchu by Car Tour: $239
- 2-Day Private Tour Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass: $199
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Cusco €9.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $16
- Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $17
- Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl Acropolis Views and Nightclub Fun: $17
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience: $47
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting: $57
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $57
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $57
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store: $65
- 3-Hour Shared Greek Wine Tasting: $105
- Athens Small-Group Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $105
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: $23
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.