Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Auckland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Auckland or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Cusco?
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
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 New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $141Cusco $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $141, 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 Auckland and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $89Cusco $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $178Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Auckland 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: Auckland Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $16Cusco $9.96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.62
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Airport: $27
- Auckland:City Hotel Transfers to/from Cruise Ship in Minivan: $27
- Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $39
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Auckland:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Minivan: $54
- Cheap airport transfer: $54
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $55
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $55
- Auckland Airport Private Transfers in a Luxury Minibus: $58
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- North Shore to Auckland Airport (AKL)-Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Auckland Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Auckland: $68
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$1.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cusco HTL-APT (CUZ): $18
- Transfers in Cusco: $6.00
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Urubamba: $36
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Cusco: $49
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to the Sacred Valley: $30
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to the Hotel (Cusco): $17
- Transfer Hotel to Airport in Cusco | Private Service |: $10
- Transfer From Cusco Airport: $10
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Transfer Cusco to Poroy: $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or vice versa.: $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Auckland 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 dayAuckland $27Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $90
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $92
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $105
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.15
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Mango$0.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel: $65
- Peruvian Market Tour And Cooking Class in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $28Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Join the locals: 2-Hour Precinct Tour of Dealer Art Galleries: $16
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Skip the Line: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Auckland Ticket: $20
- Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket : $25
- Sky Tower General Admission Ticket: $25
- Hologate Virtual Reality Gaming Experience: $29
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$2.69
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 2 Day Pisac Ollantaytambo Salt flats Moray Sacred Valley Tour: $297
- City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
- City tour of Cusco by E-BIKE: $131
- Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
- Half- Day City Tour Cusco : $150
- Moray saltmines ATV (Cuatrimotos) Tour: $68
- Night Tour in Cusco Private Service: $90
- Official Machupicchu Ticket: $96
- Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $130
- Sacred Valley Tour in Cusco : $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $14Cusco $9.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $93
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $107
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $132
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $150
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $150
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $153
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $169
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $171
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $175
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $181
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 Cusco : $18
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Cusco, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Cusco?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Auckland 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.