Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bali?
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 Bali 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 Bali and Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Cusco?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
-
Bali Prices
Indonesia PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $81Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $81, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Bali and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $38Cusco $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $76Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Bali and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Bali 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: Bali Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.28Cusco $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
-
Motorbike Rental$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Bali Airport Private Departure Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer: Densapar City → DPS Airport: $8.88
- Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
- Private Bali Transfer & Costumize Day trip: $20
- Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $25
- Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
- Premium SUV Bali Airport Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $33
- Ubud ATV Quad Bike Ticket And Transfer: $34
- Bali Nusa Dua Combo Parasailing And Snorkeling Include Transfer: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
-
Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up – Private Transfer to Your Hotel: $7.50
- Private Transfer: Airport - Hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley or VV: $9.00
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cusco to the Airport: $9.46
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Pickup from Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel in Private vehicle: $9.52
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
- Transfer from hotel in Cusco to Airport Velasco Astete.: $12
- One-way transfer from the Airport to the Hotel - Cusco: $13
- Private Transfer: Cusco Hotel to Airport: $15
- Cusco Private Airport Transfer Arrival Departure or Round Trip: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Bali 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 dayBali $33Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee$1.14
-
Lunch for Two$12
-
Bali Cafe for Two$25
-
Lunch for Two$7.40
-
Lunch for 2$8.20
-
Dinner for 2$8.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset: $30
- Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran beach: $38
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
- Nusa Dua Cooking Class With Spice Herb Garden Visit-Free Pick Up: $42
- Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
- Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63
- Authentic Balinese Cooking Classes: $63
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
- Halfday Private Tour Uluwatu Kecak Dance, Jimbaran Season Dinner: $65
- Ubud Slow Afternoon with Balinese Cooking Class: $69
- Ubud: Paon Bali Cooking Class and Batuan Temple Tour: $74
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
-
Sandwich$2.35
-
Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- 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
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
- Cusco Authentic Food Tour with 9 Locals Favorites Tastings: $76
- Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $9.93Cusco $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two$50
-
Snorkelling Trip$11
-
Cooking School$26
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $12
- Secret Comedy Night Bali Ticket: $12
- Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $18
- Kanto Lampo Penglipuran Swing Kehen Temple Private Guided Tour: $18
- Best Full Day Of Ubud Private Guided Tour: $19
- Bali Jetski Watersport Nusa Dua Beach Experience: $20
- Private ATV Quad Bike Guided Adventure in Ubud: $23
- Bali Full Day Uluwatu Highlights Tour: $23
- Ultimate Ubud Experience All Inclusive Private Day Tour: $23
- Ubud Sanctuary Swing And Waterfall Private Guided Tour: $24
- Iconic Uluwatu Sunset & Kecak Fire Dance – Private Half-Day Tour: $25
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking and Rice Terrace Adventure: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
-
Salsa Class$2.94
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Half Day Walking Tour of Cusco: $4.00
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary® Admission Ticket: $10
- Discover Cusco with Guided Walking Tour: $10
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- City Tour Cusco: $12
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- City Tour in Cusco with visit South American camelids: $12
- Cusco City Tour in Half Day: $13
- Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Local Music: $14
- City tour in Cusco.: $14
- Half-Day City Tour of Cusco: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $2.93Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Discover Cusco Nightlife with Bar Crawl Cusco: $16
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Cusco, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali 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 Bali Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Cusco?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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.