Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $50. 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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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?.
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.