Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Dubrovnik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dubrovnik or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cusco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or Cusco?
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
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 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubrovnik $103Cusco $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is $103, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $50. 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 Dubrovnik and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubrovnik $53Cusco $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubrovnik $106Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubrovnik $13Cusco $9.96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
-
Bus Around Town$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Transfer to/from City Center: $16
- Porter Service, Baggage Transfer, Baggage pick up & delivery.: $16
- Night Transfer from Dubrovnik Old Port to New Port by Karaka Boat: $22
- Bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi: $23
- Private transfer from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik airport: $24
- Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $25
- Airport Private Transfer Dubrovnik: $27
- From Dubrovnik Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Dubrovnik: $28
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik Cruise Port to Dubrovnik Hotels: $28
- Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to Dubrovnik Cruise Port Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Dubrovnik Cruise Port to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik Port to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
-
Taxi Ride$1.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- From 2-Day Guided Trip to Machu Picchu with Transfers: $350
- Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290
- Private Transfer From Cusco To Puno With 2 Sightseeing Hours: $249
- Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $205
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado : $159
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $151
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco city or airport- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Puno Bus Transfer with Buffet Lunch: $109
- Private City Tour and Saksaywaman Visit with Transfer: $80
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cuzco city or airport to Ollantaytambo train station -Departure Private Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Dubrovnik 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 dayDubrovnik $35Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
-
Seafood Dinner (for 2)$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $81
- Gastro Cruise | Dinner and Boat ride around Dubrovnik Old Town: $82
- Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $128
- Old Town Food Tour: $144
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $147
- Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $166
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $179
- Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $199
- Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $203
- Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
- Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $210
- Private Dinner with Wine and Homemade Tapas: $215
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
-
Sandwich$2.15
-
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
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel: $65
- Peruvian Market Tour And Cooking Class in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubrovnik $20Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)$14
-
Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)$56
-
Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)$48
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Selfguided tour of the old town of Dubrovnik: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.46
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Medieval Adventure City Game: $6.99
- Time Travel Adventure Outdoor Escape Game in Dubrovnik: $7.12
- Shell Museum Private Guided Tour: $7.68
- Historic Center Self-Guided Audio Tour (ENG): $7.70
- Old Town Highlights Tour with Audio Guide: $8.61
- Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Dubrovnik Old Town: $8.74
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $8.99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
-
Salsa Class$2.69
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 2 Day Pisac Ollantaytambo Salt flats Moray Sacred Valley Tour: $297
- City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
- City tour of Cusco by E-BIKE: $131
- Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
- Half- Day City Tour Cusco : $150
- Moray saltmines ATV (Cuatrimotos) Tour: $68
- Night Tour in Cusco Private Service: $90
- Official Machupicchu Ticket: $96
- Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $130
- Sacred Valley Tour in Cusco : $47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubrovnik $15Cusco $9.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $49
- Brewery Tour with Food included: $60
- Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $70
- From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $75
- Interactive Wine Tour: $81
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $84
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting: $84
- Interactive Wine Tour in Dubrovnik: $89
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting in Dubrovnik Old Town : $89
- 2-Hour Kayaking at Sunset with Wine Tasting and Appetizers: $93
- E-Bike Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small Group): $97
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 Dubrovnik and Cusco, we can see that Dubrovnik is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or Cusco?
Cusco has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik 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.