Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Mumbai?
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 Mumbai or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Cusco, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Mumbai or Cusco?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Mumbai Prices
India PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $76Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $76, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Mumbai and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $29Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $58Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $6.44Cusco $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mumbai Airport Transfer: $12
- Mumbai Airport Transfer to Hotel with a Private Transport: $20
- Mumbai Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Easy & Safe: $23
- Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24
- Mumbai After Dark: Private Night Tour with AC Transfers: $25
- Mumbai to Mumbai Airport (BOM) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $26
- Mumbai Airport Transfer to and from Hotel: $31
- Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $35
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $37
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
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$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Private Transfer to Ausangate and the 7 Lagoons from Cusco: $210
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado: $171
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $168
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Ollantaytambo: $152
- Private Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $149
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station: $95
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco city or airport- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer to Ollantaytambo Station and Sacred Valley 24 7: $69
- Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Urubamba: $60
- Tourist Transfer from Cusco to Hydroelectric: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $38Cusco $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
- Private Street Food Tour with Mumbai Sightseeing Tour including AC vehicles: $19
- Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
- Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $31
- Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
- Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour: $38
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: $39
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.37
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Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina, Pisco Sour in Cusco: $48
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $63
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $77
- Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.33Cusco $32
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Dharavi Slum tour in Mumbai by local resident: $4.30
- Mumbai Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.50
- Mumbai Malabar Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.50
- Mumbai Slum Tour –An insight of Dharavi Slum with Local Guide: $4.84
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Untold Stories with Local Guide: $5.48
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour with Fatehpur Sikri: $7.10
- Dharavi Slum Tour with a Local from Neighbourhood: $7.55
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$2.96
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $48
- 1 Day Palcoyo 7-Color Mountain Hiking Tour: $45
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
- 1 Day Sacred Valley VIP Tour from Cusco: $100
- 1 Day Tour to Palccoyo (Alternative Rainbow Mtn) from Cusco, Peru: $154
- 1-Day Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1-Day Tour Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: $190
- 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
- 2 Day Tour to Machupicchu by Minivan: $145
- 2 days 1 night - Machupicchu by bus tour: $220
- 2-Day Group Tour: Cusco City Tour & Sacred Valley of the Incas: $46
- 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by Minivan from Budget Adventure: $203
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.23Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34
- Sula Vineyards Wine Tasting Day Trip from Mumbai by Train or Car: $131
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: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $18
When comparing the travel costs between Mumbai and Cusco, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mumbai is in Asia and Cusco is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Cusco?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.