Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Nice?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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: Nice or Cusco?
Nice
Nice, in the French Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in France. It's located on the southeast coast along the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean. It is an energetic city that attracts all types of vacationers from every age group and demographic. It's the 5th largest city in the country and is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes departement. The metropolitan area has a population of about 1 million.
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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNice €131Cusco €47
The average daily cost (per person) in Nice is €131, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €47. 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 Nice and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNice €59Cusco €21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNice €118Cusco €42
Compare Hotels in Nice and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Nice 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: Nice Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nice €25Cusco €9.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:
- Private Transfer from Nice City to Nice Airport: $43
- Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
- Private transfer from Nice city to Nice Airport: $44
- Monaco to Hercule Monte Carlo Port Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Nice Intl Airport (NCE) to Villefranche Port- Arrival Transfer: $49
- Nice hotels to Villefranche Port - Departure Transfer: $49
- Nice hotels to Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Nice Intl Airport (NCE) to Port de la Santé- Arrrival Private Transfer: $49
- Villefranche-sur-Mer - Port de la Santé to Nice hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Port de la Santé to Nice Intl Airport (NCE) - Private Departure Transfer: $49
- Villefranche Port to Nice Intl Airport (NCE) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Villefranche-sur-Mer - Port to Nice hotels- Arrival Transfer: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
-
Taxi Ride€1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $5.40
- Transfers in Cusco: $6.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
- Private 1-Way Transfer to Velasco Astete Airport: $9.00
- One-Way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $9.50
- Transfer Hotel to Airport in Cusco | Private Service |: $10
- Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $10
- Transfer From Cusco Airport: $10
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
- Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Nice or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Nice 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 dayNice €49Cusco €12
Typical Food Prices in Nice
Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:
-
Slushee€2.50
-
Strawberries€4.00
-
Loaf of Bread€3.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.
- Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
- Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
- Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
- 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $108
- Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $108
- Half-Day Walking Food Tour in Nice with Lunch: $115
- Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
- Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $193
- Dinner in the Vineyard French Riviera: $206
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
-
Sandwich€2.00
-
Mango€0.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel: $65
- Peruvian Market Tour And Cooking Class in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nice €12Cusco €27
Tours and Activities in Nice
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:
- Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
- Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.46
- Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
- Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
-
Salsa Class€2.49
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
- Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
- Walking Tour Cusco: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
- CUSCO CITY TOUR 2024 Half Day Tour in Cuzco: $10
- Cusco City Half-Day Tour: $12
- Open Bus Tour of the City’s Wonder’s: $12
- Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
- City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
- Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
- Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
- Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNice €17Cusco €8.78
Sample the Local Flavors in Nice
Also in Nice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $6.03
- Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
- Nice : International Party Pub / Bar Crawl Unlimited Ticket: $17
- Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $22
- Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $25
- Nice Bar Crawl | Infamous International Party!: $27
- Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $53
- New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $54
- Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $66
- Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour: $83
- Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $84
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 Cusco : $18
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nice and Cusco, we can see that Nice is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nice 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice 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 Nice Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nice or Cusco?
Nice has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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.