Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Osaka?
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 Osaka or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka 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: Osaka or Cusco?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Osaka Prices
Japan PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $101Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $101, 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 Osaka and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $44Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $88Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $13Cusco $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios Japan: $42
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Osaka International Airport (ITM) Private Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $46
- Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfer to Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto/Nara/Wakayama: $59
- Osaka ⇆ Kansai Airport (KIX) Private Transfer: $65
- Private departure Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $66
- Private arrival Transfer from Kansai airport to Osaka city: $66
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kobe - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
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:
- Transfers in Cusco secure and punctual service: $15
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Cusco: $75
- Transfer from hotel in Cusco to Airport Velasco Astete.: $12
- Transfer from Cusco to Urubamba Visiting Chinchero, Maras and Moray: $120
- Transfer from Cusco city to the airport: $15
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to Your Hotel: $25
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotels: $34
- Transfer From Cusco Airport: $15
- Transfer Cusco to Urubamba: $40
- Transfer Cusco to Sacred Valley of the Incas: $36
- Transfer Cusco to Poroy: $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Osaka 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 dayOsaka $41Cusco $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $31
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $31
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
- Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $38
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $41
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $41
- (1 Group Only) Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu & Ramen Takoyaki: $44
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $47
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $47
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $47
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.35
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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.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- 3hr Cooking Class in Cusco with 7 traditional recipes & drinks: $55
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Local Market and Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour in Cusco: $65
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
- Best Cusco walking tour: dinner street food tasting: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $19Cusco $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$28
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $5.04
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
- Osaka Farplane Parco Bar Admission Ticket with Drink for Foreign: $6.30
- Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.98
- Harukas 300 Observatory Tickets | Osaka: $8.00
- HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel E-Ticket: $10
- Osaka Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign & Neon Lights View: $13
- General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $13
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$2.94
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $59
- 1 Day Classic Sacred Valley Tour With Buffet Lunch: $55
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
- 1-Day Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1-Day Tour Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: $190
- 1-Day Tour Sacred Valley From Cusco: $120
- 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
- 2 Day Tour to Machupicchu by Minivan: $145
- 2-Day Guided Tour of Ausangate Trek: $290
- 2-Day Private Tour Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass: $179
- 2-Day Tour to Floating Islands and Puno From Cusco: $238
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $11Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $15
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $22
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $35
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $82
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: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Cusco, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Cusco?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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.