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

Should you visit Geneva or Lima?

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 Lima. 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 Lima?

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.

Lima

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.

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


Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 $280, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Geneva $164
    Lima $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Geneva $328
    Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Geneva and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Lima? 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 Lima


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 Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Geneva $11
    Lima $6.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:

  • Transfer from Geneva to Chamonix: $18
  • VIP Transfer: $81
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Business Car: $82
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Geneva Airport Private Transfer One Way or Round Trip City: $96
  • Arrival Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Business Car: $97
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Business Car: $97
  • Private Transfer from Geneva Hotels to Geneva Airport: $99
  • Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Geneva Hotels: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Luxury Van: $110
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Luxury Van: $110

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $51
  • Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
  • From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
  • Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
  • Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
  • Lima Airport : Bus transfer to/from Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco: $11
  • Lima Airport Departure Transfer: $22
  • Lima Airport One Way Private Transfer LIM to Lima City Center: $12
  • Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Car: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Geneva or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $103
    Lima $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva

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

  • Taste Geneva – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $220
  • City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class, Swiss Folklore: $221
  • Geneva Food tour : Cheeses, wine, chocolate & fun: $250
  • Food tour with EAT and CHILL TOUR Geneva & Lausanne: $266

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.71
  • Ice cream
    $3.82
  • Coffee
    $3.23
  • Donut
    $1.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

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

  • Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
  • Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
  • Lima Market Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Geneva $34
    Lima $9.38

Tours and Activities in Geneva

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

  • Geneva Self Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.83
  • Geneva Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Jet d’Eau de Genève guided tour of the city icon: $6.33
  • Geneva International Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.33
  • From Brunswick Monument to the Botanical Garden: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Geneva Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $7.60
  • Highlights of Dark History Quest Experience: $8.15
  • Geneva Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.31
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Geneva’s Old Town: $9.99
  • TOP Geneva : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
  • The Many Faces of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Many Faces of Geneva: $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

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


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    $18
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.50

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
  • Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
  • Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
  • Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
  • Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
  • Huaca Pucllana Tour: $20
  • Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
  • Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
  • Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
  • Barranco Street Art Tour - Unmasked: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Geneva $25
    Lima $6.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:

  • Swiss Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour in Vaud: $259
  • Lavaux, Chexbres, and Valais Wine Tasting Tour: $450
  • Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting by TukTuk: $537

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.91
  • Beer
    $4.41
  • Cocktail
    $3.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Lima, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Geneva is in Europe and Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.

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


Which is Bigger, Geneva or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Lima, 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.


When is the best time to visit Geneva or Lima?

Geneva has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Lima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Lima. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Geneva is a little warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Lima. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Geneva 22°C (71°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Lima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Lima. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

In the autumn, Geneva is cooler than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Lima. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Geneva 14°C (56°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Lima in the Winter?

Both Lima and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In January, Geneva is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Lima. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Geneva 4°C (39°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Lima in the Spring?

Both Lima and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

Geneva is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lima. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Geneva 11°C (53°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Geneva

Geneva Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)