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

Should you visit Dublin or Cusco?

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

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

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Dublin?

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 Dublin is €179, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €54. 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 Dublin and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dublin 68
    Cusco 21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dublin 136
    Cusco 42
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Dublin 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.

Hotels in Dublin


Hotels in Cusco


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: Dublin Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dublin 19
    Cusco 9.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

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


  • Rental Car for a Day
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $12
  • Dublin DUB Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $36
  • Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $43
  • Dublin Cruise Ship Shore Excursion|Hop-on Hop-off & Rail Transfer: $44
  • Private Dublin Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $66
  • Dublin Airport (DUB) Private Transfer to Dublin City Centre: $82
  • Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $94
  • Private Sedan (4 seats) Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $105
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Transfer Dublin to Dublin Airport by Van or Minibus: $127
  • Arrival Transfer Dublin Airport to Dublin City by Van or Minibus: $127

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

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


  • Taxi Ride
    0.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • Assistance & Transfers Included | Hassle-free service in Cusco: $30
  • Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.50
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.18
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
  • Cusco Airport Private Departure Transfer: $18
  • Cusco Airport Private Transfer with large Van: $45
  • Cusco Private Airport Transfer: Fast, Reliable Hotel Drop-Off: $20
  • Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour with Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
  • Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $108
  • Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $295
  • Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Dublin 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
    Dublin 85
    Cusco 20
Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    3.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

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

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
  • Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available: $36
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $59
  • Dublin Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $82
  • Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $88
  • Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $93
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $94
  • Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $96
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $102
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $116

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

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


  • Sandwich
    1.95
  • Mango
    0.49

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dublin 25
    Cusco 26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    26
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    27
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    4.50
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    6.30

Tours and Activities in Dublin

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

  • Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.70
  • Dublin Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Dublin Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Tour: $6.00
  • Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $7.05
  • Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.21
  • Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Dublin Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Scenic Coastal Dublin (Dun Laoghaire): $10
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
  • Dublin Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

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


  • Salsa Class
    2.44

Tours and Activities in Cusco

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

  • Cultural & Historic Walking Tour with Local Drinks: $10
  • Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
  • City Tour Cusco: $12
  • City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
  • City tour in Cusco.: $14
  • From City Tour Including Sacsayhuamán and Tambomachay: $14
  • City Tour Half Day Templo of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman y Qenqo: $14
  • City Tour Half Day Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Q’enqo: $15
  • Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo: $15
  • From Half Day City Tour : $15
  • City Tour Cusco in Panoramic Bus Daily Departures: $15
  • Half-Day City Tour of Cusco Including Tambomachay: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dublin 17
    Cusco 8.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

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

  • Generation Pub Crawl: $16
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $24
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $26
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $38
  • Jameson Distillery Secret Whiskey Tasting Experience: $47
  • Gin Tasting Masterclass In Stillgarden Distillery: $48

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


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


Which is Bigger, Dublin or Cusco?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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.