Which place is cheaper, Lima or Lucerne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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: Lucerne or Lima?
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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 The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Lucerne Prices
Switzerland PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLucerne $293Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $293, 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 Lucerne and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLucerne $155Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLucerne $310Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Lucerne and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Lucerne 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.
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: Lucerne Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lucerne $14Lima $6.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lucerne City to Lucerne Train Station: $94
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
- Private Transfer: Luzern Train Station to/from Luzern Hotel: $127
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Engelberg: $177
- Private Transfer from Engelberg to Lucerne: $177
- Private Transfer: Lucerne to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $185
- Private Transfer between Lucerne & Engelberg / Mount Titlis: $200
- Private Transfer: Lucerne to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $213
- Private direct transfer from Lucerne to Basel, local driver: $251
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $325
- Lucerne to Interlaken & Jungfrau Private Tour/Transfer: $562
- Lucerne to St. Moritz: Private Day Tour or Transfer: $1,098
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $196
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $196
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Lima to Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport: $57
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $51
- One-way Transfer Between Lima Airport And Miraflores Hotels: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Lucerne or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Lucerne 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
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Food Meals for one dayLucerne $122Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.71
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Ice cream$3.82
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Coffee$3.23
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lucerne $38Lima $9.38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental$38
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee$40
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- Lucerne Self Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.83
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.24
- Smartphone walking tour - cool Lucerne old town: $6.24
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.33
- Walking Tour - Around the Old Town Lucerne: $6.33
- Lucerne Audio guided walking tour 1h40 and 28 audio reviews: $6.88
- Lucerne Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Lucerne Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- The Lives and Legends of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Revealing Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
- Private Lucerne View and Photo Walking Tour: $13
- Porrentruy Secret Tour: $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $134
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
- 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLucerne $25Lima $6.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- Visit a microbrewery with a tasting: $149
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $312
- Private Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $323
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.91
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Beer$4.41
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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 Lucerne and Lima, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Lima?
Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the summer, Lucerne is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Lima. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLucerne 21°C (70°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Lima. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Lucerne is generally cooler than Lima. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Lima. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLucerne 13°C (56°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. Lucerne is much colder than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Lima. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLucerne 3°C (37°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Lucerne is much colder than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Lima during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Lima. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLucerne 12°C (53°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Lucerne
| Lucerne | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.