Which place is cheaper, Lima or Basel?
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 Basel or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Lima, 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Basel Prices
Switzerland PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBasel $326Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Basel is $326, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBasel $166Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBasel $332Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Basel and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Basel or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Basel $53Lima $6.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Freiburg: Bus transfer from/to Basel Euro Airport: $31
- Basel to Basel Airpor (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Basel - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $119
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $119
- 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
- Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) by MB Van: $124
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $126
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $131
- Private Transfer Service from Basel to Basel Airport: $137
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Basel or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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
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Food Meals for one dayBasel $123Lima $32
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 Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Basel $43Lima $9.15
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 Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBasel $38Lima $5.95
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 Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Lima, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basel is in Europe and Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Basel Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Basel or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Lima, 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.
When is the best time to visit Basel or Lima?
Basel has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Basel or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Basel is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Lima. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBasel 21°C (70°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Basel or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Basel is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Lima. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBasel 13°C (56°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Basel or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Lima. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Basel can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Basel is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Basel usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Lima. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBasel 3°C (37°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Basel or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Lima. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In April, Basel is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Lima. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Basel usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBasel 12°C (53°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Basel
| Basel | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.