Should I Visit Bucharest or Cusco for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Cusco?

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bucharest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Bucharest Prices
Romania Prices

Cusco Prices
Peru Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Bucharest $173

Cusco $59

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $173, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $59. 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 Bucharest and Cusco in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Bucharest $60

Cusco $22
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Bucharest $120

Cusco $44

Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Bucharest $25

Cusco $9.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

Express Transfer to Therme Bucuresti: $14
Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $15
Bucharest Airport Transfer: $21
Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $21
Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
Bucharest Airport Transfers: $26
Bucharest Private Airport Transfer: $26
Transfer from Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport to Bucharest or Back: $26
Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $26
Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport transfers: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:

Taxi Ride

$1.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $14
Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15
Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $9.00
Cusco Airport Private Departure Transfer: $18
Cusco Airport Private Transfer with large Van: $45
Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
Cusco Private Transfer/ Airport Transfer: $10
Cusco to Ollantaytambo: One-Way Private Transfer: $55
Abode of the Gods ATV Tour with Transfer: $30
Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour w/ Transfer & Weaving Demo: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Bucharest 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 day

Bucharest $97

Cusco $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.

Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $48
Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $66
5 Premium Wine Tasting with Delightful Dinner,incl Sommelier: $71
Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $78
Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $78
Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $81
Cooking Class traditional food: $84
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $91
Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $123
4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $194
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $218

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:

Sandwich

$2.12
Mango

$0.53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $37
CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive 12:00: $40
3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner : $49
CUSCO COOKING CLASS DINNER - Short & Immersive 4:30pm: $50
Andean Folk Show with Dinner at Tunupa Plaza de Armas: $50
Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $55
Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $55
Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Bucharest $14

Cusco $29

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

Bucharest Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.18
Bucharest Old Town Secrets Self-Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $5.73
Life in Communist Quest Experience: $5.73
Bucharest 1989 Revolution Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.05
Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.14
Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.31
Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.23
Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $10
Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $10
Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $11
Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $15
Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $15

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:

Salsa Class

$2.65

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

Free Walking tour in Cusco : $5.00
Via Ferrata, Skybike, and Rappel Adventure: $5.00
cultural walking tour with drinks: $10
City Tour - Cusco: $10
Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
extreme adventure in cusco warachicuy adventure park: $11
Cusco City Half-Day Tour: $12
Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
Open Bus Tour of the City’s Wonder’s: $12
Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
Mirabus Cusco City Tour: $12

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Bucharest $8.82

Cusco $9.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $27
Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $36
Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $37
Bar Crawling: $42
Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $45
Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $49
Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
Private Wine Tasting Experience: $53
Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars, Drinks Incl.: $56
Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $81

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $17
Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
Pisco and wine tour in the Majes Valley: $50

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Cusco, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Cusco?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bucharest or Cusco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Bucharest or Cusco?

Bucharest

Cusco

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bucharest?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Cusco

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Cusco?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Cusco?

Related Articles for Bucharest

Related Articles for Cusco

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bucharest or Cusco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Bucharest or Cusco?

Bucharest

Cusco

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bucharest?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Cusco

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Cusco?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Cusco?

Related Articles for Bucharest

Related Articles for Cusco

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