Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cusco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cusco?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $10Cusco $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $10, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $51. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $4.13Cusco $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.26Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.58Cusco $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport$0.13
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Local Bus$0.00
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Metro Ride$0.00
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Taxi to airport$0.03
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Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Private One-way Ezeiza Airport Transfer To/From Buenos Aires: $20
- Private transfer Vehicle from Buenos Aires city to Ezeiza Airport: $20
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Newbery Airfield (AEP) to Buenos Aires: $25
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $25
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos aires Shared EZE Airport Transfer: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Private Airport Transfer AEP Jorge New Berry to CAPITAL BA: $30
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires APT-HTL (EZA): $36
- Roundtrip Transfer Private SUV Ezeiza Airport (EZE) -Buenos Aires City: $39
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$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
- Convenient Transfer Service in Cusco: $41
- Cusco – Puno Direct Transfers: $24
- Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.67
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $13
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.67
- Cusco Airport Private Departure Transfer: $14
- Cusco Airport Private Transfer with large Van: $45
- Cusco Airport Transfers: $8.00
- Cusco Airport: Private 1-Way Transfer: $15
- Cusco to Ollantaytambo: One-Way Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $3.25Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch$0.03
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Cup of Coffee$0.01
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Empandas$0.02
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Espresso$0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)$0.02
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Breakfast at Airport$0.04
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Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
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Sweets$0.01
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Hot Dog$0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
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Lunch for 2$0.16
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Cake and Coffee$0.53
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Dinner$1.88
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Powerade$0.12
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Lunch$0.83
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Dinner$1.21
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Chocolate$3.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $35
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $37
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $43
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $47
- Skip the Line Ticket for Tango Porteño Show with Dinner : $53
- Tango Porteño Show with Private Transfers (with optional dinner): $54
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
- Aljibe Earlier Tango Show Skip the Line Ticket W/Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $55
- Argentine Cooking Experience in Palermo: $55
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $57
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.17
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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
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
- Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS DINNER - Short & Immersive Cooking Class: $53
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Vegetarian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $63
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.34Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
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Movie Ticket$0.02
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Tango Class$0.03
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Bar entrance$0.58
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Walking Tour of Palermo Soho: $5.00
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
- History of Tango (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
- A day with an Argentinean Football Fan (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
- Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
- Jewish Heritage in Argentina (Virtual Live Experience): $11
- Recoleta Cemetery - Buenos Aires Jewel (Virtual Live Tour Experience): $11
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$2.71
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
- Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
- Cusco City Tour: $10
- Cusco City Tour including Sacsayhuaman Koricancha and Tambomachay: $10
- Combined city tour cusco: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
- Guided Walking Tour with fluent English: $10
- extreme adventure in cusco warachicuy adventure park: $11
- Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
- Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
- City tours Cusco: $12
- Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.81Cusco $9.56
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer$0.01
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Beer (0.66L)$0.02
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Cocktail$0.03
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Alcohol$0.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $60
- Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $65
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting (BBQ): $70
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $76
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cusco, we can see that Cusco is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Cusco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cusco than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cusco?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.