Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $55Cusco $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $64. 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 $39Cusco $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78Cusco $48
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: Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04Cusco $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Buenos Aires: AEP Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $15
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $15
- Private Airport Transfer from Buenos Aires to Aeroparque AEP: $25
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $26
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $28
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $30
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Cusco Transfer: $80
- Assistance & Transfers Included | Hassle-free service in Cusco: $30
- Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up (Private Transfer to your Cusco Hotel).: $23
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
- Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco Sightseeing Transfer with Lunch: $72
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $103
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 $7.36Cusco $24
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.
- Argentine Cooking, Wine & Beef Tasting at Argentine Experience: $33
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.31
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Mango$0.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Multi-Course Dinner with Live Folk Show Performance: $32
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, PapaHuancaina, Pisco Sour, Picarones: $50
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $53
- Market tour & Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $54
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Cusco Cooking Class Experience: $61
- Local Market and Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Collective Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $65
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $29Cusco $31
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Buenos Aires with Audio Guide: $5.72
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.79
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.00
- Private Shopping Tour with Matu Salcedo: $8.00
- Two to Tango: A San Telmo Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $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$2.89
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Walking Tour in Cusco: $7.00
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary® Admission Ticket: $10
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- City Tour Cusco: $12
- Cusco Machu Picchu Self Guided Audio Tour (Without a Ticket): $12
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- City Tour in Cusco & visit Museum South American Camelid: $13
- Cusco City Tour: 4-Hour Tour to Sacsayhuamán and Qenqo: $15
- Explore Cusco Highlights in a Walking Tour: $15
- Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.98Cusco $10
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:
- Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $47
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Argentine Wine Tasting with Lunch or Charcuterie Pairings: $59
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $69
- Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
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: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $23
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.