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

Should you visit Cusco or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cusco or Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto

The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Cusco?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cusco is $66, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $245. 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 Toronto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cusco $25
    Toronto $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cusco $50
    Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Cusco and Toronto

Looking for a hotel in Cusco or Toronto? 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.

Hotels in Cusco


Hotels in Toronto


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 Toronto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cusco $11
    Toronto $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • Transfers in Cusco secure and punctual service: $15
  • Transfer to Ollantaytambo to/from Urubamba: $41
  • Transfer from Cusco Airport to the Sacred Valley: $30
  • Transfer from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotels: $34
  • Transfer from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo Station: $41
  • Transfer From Cusco Airport: $15
  • Transfer From Airport to Cusco Center Hotels: $23
  • Transfer Cusco to Poroy: $20
  • Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco Round Trip: $22
  • Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station: $95
  • Tourist Transfer from Cusco to Hydroelectric: $60
  • Tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with Transfer to Ollantaytambo: $35

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:


  • Airport Shuttle
    $26
  • Train: 2 Day Passes
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto

Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $8.70
  • Toronto Airport YYZ Private Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $29
  • Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $40
  • Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotel & Air B&B Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto: $42
  • Private Transfer to Toronto Airport (YYZ): $48
  • Private Transfer from Toronto Airport (YYZ): $48
  • Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $52
  • Toronto Airport YYZ Roundtrip Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $58
  • Sedan Departure Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ: $62
  • Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Cusco or Toronto?

Prices for flights to both Toronto 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cusco $25
    Toronto $108
Typical Food Prices in Cusco

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


  • Sandwich
    $2.37
  • Mango
    $0.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

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

  • Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
  • Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina, Pisco Sour in Cusco: $48
  • Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
  • High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market: $57
  • Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
  • Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $63
  • Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
  • Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
  • Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $77
  • Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
  • Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $79
  • Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $80

Typical Food Prices in Toronto

For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two
    $23
  • Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)
    $55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto

For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $51
  • Great White North Food Tour + Distillery District & Old Town: $53
  • Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Trendy Venue in Toronto: $55
  • Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Trendy Venue in Toronto: $60
  • Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef: $60
  • Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $61
  • Toronto Express Canadian Food Tour: 90 Min with Our Founder: $64
  • Toronto : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $68
  • Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $73
  • Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $73
  • 2 Hour Express Toronto Food Tour: Flavors of Kensington Market: $75
  • Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cusco $32
    Toronto $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

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


  • Salsa Class
    $2.96

Tours and Activities in Cusco

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

  • 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $48
  • 1 Day Palcoyo 7-Color Mountain Hiking Tour: $45
  • 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
  • 1 Day Sacred Valley VIP Tour from Cusco: $100
  • 1 Day Tour to Palccoyo (Alternative Rainbow Mtn) from Cusco, Peru: $154
  • 1-Day Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $60
  • 1-Day Tour Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: $190
  • 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
  • 2 Day Tour to Machupicchu by Minivan: $145
  • 2 days 1 night - Machupicchu by bus tour: $220
  • 2-Day Group Tour: Cusco City Tour & Sacred Valley of the Incas: $46
  • 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by Minivan from Budget Adventure: $203

Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Art Gallery of Ontario for Two
    $15
  • CN Tower at night for Two
    $35
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise
    $26
  • Bata Shoe Museum (2)
    $7.13

Tours and Activities in Toronto

For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $3.52
  • Toronto Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.96
  • Toronto Essentials Tour: Old Town & Downtown Highlights (PWYC): $4.40
  • City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
  • Toronto Iconic Core and Landmarks Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Toronto Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 23 audio commentary: $6.97
  • Toronto's Waterfront: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.06
  • Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tours: $8.23
  • Toronto's Greatest Hits: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Queen Street West: An audio tour exploring Toronto's coolest street: $8.99
  • Kensington Market and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Textile Museum of Canada General Entry Ticket: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cusco $10
    Toronto $22

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, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:

  • Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $7.40
  • Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
  • Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
  • Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $27
  • Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
  • Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $34
  • Pub Crawl Toronto: $43
  • Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery with 7 Kinds of Sake: $43
  • Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $52
  • Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $59
  • Distillery District Beer and Cheese Tasting Tour: $67
  • Craft Brewery Tour: $77


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cusco and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cusco or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Cusco and Toronto, 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.