A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Cuenca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kaunas or Cuenca?

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 Kaunas and Cuenca. 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: Kaunas or Cuenca?

Kaunas

Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.

Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Kaunas?

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 Kaunas is $138, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Kaunas and Cuenca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kaunas $52
    Cuenca $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kaunas $104
    Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Kaunas and Cuenca

Looking for a hotel in Kaunas or Cuenca? 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 Kaunas


Hotels in Cuenca


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: Kaunas Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kaunas $20
    Cuenca $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kaunas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:

  • CO2-Offset Departure Transfer Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN: $68
  • CO2-Offset Private Transfer from Kaunas to Kaunas Airport KUN: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:

  • Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
  • Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Kaunas or Cuenca?

Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Kaunas 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
    Kaunas $70
    Cuenca $26

Typical Food Prices in Cuenca

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


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Snacks
    $5.00
  • Empanada
    $1.50
  • Hot Dog
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca

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

  • Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
  • Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
  • Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
  • Private Cooking Class: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kaunas $22
    Cuenca $16

Tours and Activities in Kaunas

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

  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $54
  • Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $60
  • 1 day Self-Guided Bike Tour with Train Tickets: $69
  • Recreational Tour in Kaunas - The City of Freedom: $70
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $84
  • Tours in Kaunas Old Town: $100
  • Kaunas : Sightseeing Walking Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $117
  • Kaunas city center tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $119
  • Kaunas, Lithuania 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour: $176
  • Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Private Ghost Tour: $243
  • Kaunas Private Tour: Love Stories: $243
  • Old Town Private Ghost Tour: $477

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

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

  • Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
  • Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
  • Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
  • Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
  • Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
  • El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
  • Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
  • Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
  • Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kaunas $18
    Cuenca $14


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Cuenca?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Cuenca, 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 Kaunas or Cuenca?

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

Should I visit Kaunas or Cuenca in the Summer?

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

In July, Kaunas is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kaunas 18°C (64°F) 
    Cuenca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Kaunas or Cuenca in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Cuenca. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.

Kaunas is much colder than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cuenca. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kaunas 8°C (46°F) 
    Cuenca 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Kaunas or Cuenca in the Winter?

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

Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kaunas -5°C (23°F) 
    Cuenca 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Kaunas or Cuenca in the Spring?

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

In April, Kaunas is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Kaunas usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kaunas 7°C (44°F) 
    Cuenca 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cuenca and Kaunas

Kaunas Cuenca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 16°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)