Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Basel?
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 Basel or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Basel or Arequipa?
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Basel Prices
Switzerland PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBasel $326Arequipa $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Basel is $326, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Basel and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBasel $166Arequipa $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBasel $332Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Basel and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Basel or Arequipa? 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: Basel Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Basel $53Arequipa $6.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) by MB Van: $124
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $119
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Basel - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg - Round Trip Private Transfer: $251
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $126
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $131
- Basel to Basel Airpor (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $119
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Luxury Van: $124
- Freiburg: Bus transfer from/to Basel Euro Airport: $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.43
-
Bus Ride$0.46
-
Taxi Ride$1.00
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
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Basel or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Basel 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 dayBasel $123Arequipa $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.
- Self-Guided Food Tour: $49
- Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers/Dessert: $163
- Cooking Class: Homemade Italian Lasagna Experience by Locals: $189
- Family-Style Italian Pizza Cooking Class & Dining Experience: $189
- Cheese, Chocolate and Pastry Food Tour: $189
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.43
-
Lunch$3.01
-
Ice Cream$1.15
-
Fruit$0.86
-
Ice Cream$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Basel $43Arequipa $19
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $3.14
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $3.20
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $6.29
- Basel's Portrait Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $6.44
- Basel Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.49
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.97
- Basel Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.97
- Basel Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Basel Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Swiss Cheese Tasting Experience | Basel: $12
- The Best of Basel’s Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Local Cheese Tasting Tour with a Cheese Sommelier: $13
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$2.87
-
Salsa Class$2.87
-
Movie Ticket$3.13
-
Hot Springs$2.87
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $20
- From Salinas Lagoon Half Day Tour: $21
- Tour Colca Full Day Promotional Price: $22
- Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $23
- Arequipa City Tour and food and drinks experience: $25
- Half day Sillar Stone Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Ticket for Planetarium and Star Observatory: $27
- Pillones Waterfall Tour | Stone Forest | Arequipa: $27
- Full Day Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $28
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBasel $38Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Alsace wine tour & medieval villages small group guided tour: $358
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Arequipa, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basel is in Europe and Arequipa 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 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Basel or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Arequipa, 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.