A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Geneva or Arequipa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Arequipa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Geneva or Arequipa?

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Geneva?

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 Geneva is $288, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Geneva and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Geneva $168
    Arequipa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Geneva $336
    Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Geneva and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Arequipa? 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 Geneva


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Geneva Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Geneva $11
    Arequipa $6.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:

  • Airport Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Luxury Van: $112
  • Chamonix: Private Transfer from Geneva with Wi-Fi and Water: $293
  • From One-Way Transfer from Geneva Airport to Morzine: $23
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) Private Transfer to Geneva/Lausanne/Chamonix: $48
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
  • Geneva Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to City centre: $171
  • Geneva Private Transfer to Val D' Isére or Tignes: $287
  • Geneva Ski Station Transfer to Val Thorens: $142
  • Geneva hotel to Geneva Gare Cornavinof Station CFF Transfer: $106
  • Geneva to Annecy Private Transfer: $161
  • Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Transfer: $93

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.43
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
  • 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
  • Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
  • Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
  • Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Geneva or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Geneva 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
    Geneva $105
    Arequipa $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva

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

  • City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class, Swiss Folklore: $223
  • Taste Geneva – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $226
  • Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $227

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.01
  • Ice Cream
    $1.15
  • Fruit
    $0.86
  • Ice Cream
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Geneva $35
    Arequipa $19

Tours and Activities in Geneva

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

  • From Brunswick Monument to the Botanical Garden: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • The Many Faces of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Geneva (International District) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $18
  • Guided Tour of Capital of Peace ( Outside ): $20
  • 50-Minute Lake Geneva Cruise: $24
  • Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva: $24
  • Unusual Audio Tour of Geneva: $30
  • Open-Top Sightseeing Bus Tour: $33
  • International & Panoramic Tours Geneva: $33
  • Scenic Lake Cruise with Snacks and Wine: $36
  • (STTG04) - Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif: $37
  • Hop-on Hop-Off Bus & Scenic Mini-Train Tour: $42

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.87
  • Salsa Class
    $2.87
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.13
  • Hot Springs
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
  • Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $20
  • From Salinas Lagoon Half Day Tour: $21
  • Tour Colca Full Day Promotional Price: $22
  • Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $23
  • Arequipa City Tour and food and drinks experience: $25
  • Half day Sillar Stone Tour from Arequipa: $25
  • Ticket for Planetarium and Star Observatory: $27
  • Pillones Waterfall Tour | Stone Forest | Arequipa: $27
  • Full Day Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $28
  • Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Geneva $26
    Arequipa $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:

  • Geneva Countryside Wine tasting, Aperitif, Castle By E-bike: $175
  • Swiss Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour in Vaud: $263
  • Lavaux, Chexbres, and Valais Wine Tasting Tour: $450
  • Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting by TukTuk: $541

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.58


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Arequipa, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Geneva is in Europe and Arequipa 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Arequipa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Geneva or Arequipa?

Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Arequipa, 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.