Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Cusco?
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 Cusco or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cusco or Philadelphia, 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: Cusco or Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Cusco Prices
Peru PricesPhiladelphia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCusco $64Philadelphia $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Cusco is $64, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $224. 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 Cusco and Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCusco $24Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCusco $48Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Cusco and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Cusco or Philadelphia? 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 and Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cusco $11Philadelphia $28
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$1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo to/from Urubamba: $32
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Cusco: $51
- Transfer to Cusco Airport: $15
- Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo: $40
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to the Sacred Valley: $30
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to Your Hotel: $25
- Transfer From Cusco Airport: $15
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco (Round trip): $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or vice versa.: $20
- Soraypampa Transfer from Cusco with Breakfast: $26
- Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Philadephia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Sedan: $94
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Cusco or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and Cusco 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 dayCusco $24Philadelphia $84
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.29
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Mango$0.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Cooking Class Lomo Saltado Pisco Sour y Papa a la Huancaina: $40
- Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $55
- Hands-on High End Peruvian Cooking Class & San Pedro Market Visit: $57
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Sacred Valley: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Best Cusco walking tour: dinner street food tasting: $74
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $75
- The 10 Tastings of Cusco With Locals: Private Food Tour : $90
- Cusco Cooking Class with San Pedro Market Tour: $92
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Africatown Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $56
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $59
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Vintage Shopping and Food Tour: $85
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $87
- Secret Food Tour: $91
- Italian Market Non-Touristy Walking Food Tour: $95
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cusco $31Philadelphia $28
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$2.87
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $45
- Cusco Plaza De Armas Tour: $45
- Cusco city wolking tour : $35
- Day Tour to Maras Moray and Salt Flats from Cusco: $59
- Full Day Tour of Laguna Humantay: $45
- Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $111
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $77
- Private Service - Cusco City Tour: $69
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $120
- Rainbow Mountain 1 day Tour : $34
- Salineras Tour of Maras, Moray and Sacred Valley of the Incas: $52
- Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain : $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia Haunted Ghost Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $12
- Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $12
- National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket: $12
- Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Game Ticket at Wells Fargo Center: $12
- University of Pennsylvania Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
- Penn Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- The Rail Park Public Three Mile Vision Tour: $20
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Philadelphia with Holly Jolly: $20
- Philadelphia Ghost Tour by Candlelight: $24
- The Phantom Penance of Philadelphia Ghost Tour: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCusco $10Philadelphia $21
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 : $19
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ghosts, Boos, and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $50
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cusco and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cusco is in South America and Philadelphia is in North 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Cusco Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cusco or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Cusco and Philadelphia, 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.