Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Madrid?
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 Madrid or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madrid and Cusco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Madrid or Cusco?
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Madrid Prices
Spain PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid €162Cusco €54
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €162, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €54. 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 Madrid and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid €78Cusco €21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid €156Cusco €42
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Madrid 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: Madrid Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid €18Cusco €9.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
- Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
- Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
- Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Alcobendas: $35
- Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City: $35
- Private transfer to Madrid Airport (MAD): $37
- Private Transfer from Madrid Airport (MAD): $37
- Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Private transfer from Madrid city to CHAMARTIN train station: $47
- Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $48
- Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $49
- Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride€0.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $295
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $216
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $171
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128
- Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain from Cusco with transfers and lunch: $55
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Cusco: $51
- Cusco Airport Private Transfer with large Van: $45
- Private Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo Train Station: $41
- Private Transfer from Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cusco or Airport: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Madrid 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 dayMadrid €59Cusco €20
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $60
- Local Flamenco Show with dinner at El Cortijo: $60
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $66
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
- Madrid's Authentic Culture & Food Tour by Food Lover Tour: $78
- 10 Tapas Cooking Class Experience in Madrid with Sangria: $82
- Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
- Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
- Flamenco Show at Tablao La Carmela with Tapas Dinner: $106
- Madrid Small Group Tapas Tour at 4 Venues -Lunch or Dinner: $108
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich€1.95
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Mango€0.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Cooking Class Lomo Saltado Pisco Sour y Papa a la Huancaina: $40
- Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $55
- Hands-on High End Peruvian Cooking Class & San Pedro Market Visit: $57
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Sacred Valley: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Best Cusco walking tour: dinner street food tasting: $74
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $75
- The 10 Tastings of Cusco With Locals: Private Food Tour : $90
- Cusco Cooking Class with San Pedro Market Tour: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid €33Cusco €26
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.18
- Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $1.80
- Madrid Monumental Tour Retreat, Prado and Cibeles: $2.39
- Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.87
- Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.59
- Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.59
- Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.61
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.61
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.85
- Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center: $4.80
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class€2.44
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $45
- Cusco Plaza De Armas Tour: $45
- Cusco city wolking tour : $35
- Day Tour to Maras Moray and Salt Flats from Cusco: $59
- Full Day Tour of Laguna Humantay: $45
- Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $111
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $77
- Private Service - Cusco City Tour: $69
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $120
- Rainbow Mountain 1 day Tour : $34
- Salineras Tour of Maras, Moray and Sacred Valley of the Incas: $52
- Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain : $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid €19Cusco €8.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
- Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $58
- Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $83
- Toledo Full Day with Winery Visit, Tapas & Wine Tasting : $83
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food & Wine Tour : $95
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: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $19
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Cusco, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Cusco?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Madrid 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.