Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Paphos?
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 Paphos or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos 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: Paphos or Cusco?
Paphos
Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Paphos Prices
Cyprus PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPaphos €125Cusco €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €125, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €57. 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 Paphos and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPaphos €48Cusco €22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPaphos €96Cusco €44
Compare Hotels in Paphos and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Paphos 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: Paphos Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paphos €12Cusco €9.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:
- Blue Lagoon Boat Adventure with Bus Transfer: $34
- Blue Lagoon cruise: giant slide & Paphos hotel transfers: $34
- Blue Lagoon Boat Adventure with Bus Transfer from Paphos: $36
- Famous Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise with transfer: $40
- Paphos Blue Lagoon Cruise: Water Slide & Hotel Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Paphos Airport (PFO) to Limassol Port: $58
- Paphos Airport (PFO) to Paphos city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $85
- Ocean Vision: Show & Dance Night with buffet, open bar & transfer: $93
- CO2-Offset Private Car Transfer from Paphos Airport PFO to Polis: $97
- CO2-Offset Transfer from Paphos Airport to Limassol City by Van: $133
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Nicosia City: $204
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€1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
- Airport Transfer (Private Service): $25
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up (Private Transfer to your Cusco Hotel).: $23
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
- Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Private Transfer to Poroy Railway Station: $15
- Cusco to Puno Direct Bus Transfer: $37
- Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour with Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Paphos 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 dayPaphos €65Cusco €21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.
- From Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $67
- Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $78
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich€2.05
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Mango€0.51
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.Paphos €12Cusco €28
Tours and Activities in Paphos
Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Taste local wines and tour a family winery near Paphos city: $16
- Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with fun slide: $21
- Pafos Zoo Ticket: $22
- FROM 1.5 HRS Glass Bottom Boat Cruise with swimming: $23
- The Yellow Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Swim & Snorkel: $23
- Blue Lagoon Mediterranean One Boat Cruise from Latchi: $23
- Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour: $29
- Nafsika II Half Day Cruise Swimming to blue lagoon water slide: $29
- From Limassol Experience: $32
- Swim Cruise with Turtle Watching, Drinks & Aperol: $40
- Yellow Submarine Swim Cruise with Unlimited Drinks: $40
- Paphos Sunset Cruise Swim Snorkel & Jump into the Golden Hour: $41
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€2.57
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Discover Cusco with Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Cusco City Walking tour: Historia, Tradition, Culture: $5.00
- Cusco Self Guided Walking Tour Landmarks, Audio and Quiz: $8.23
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- Cultural & Historic Walking Tour with Local Drinks: $10
- City tour Cusco Half day: $11
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- Explore Cusco Highlights in a Half Day City Tour: $12
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- City Tour Cusco: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPaphos €9.98Cusco €9.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:
- From Troodos Mountains & Villages Free Wine Tasting: $62
- Paphos - Troodos Mountains 4x4 Tour with Free Wine Tasting: $69
- Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
- Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $76
- Paphos Hills: Boutique Wine Tour & Scenic Escape - 4+ Guests: $132
- Troodos Mountains Vino Venture: All Inclusive Full Day Wine Tour: $139
- Paphos Half Day-Free Wine Tasting- Max 7p Group -Full A/C: $572
- Troodos Mountains -Free Wine Tasting- Max 7p Group -Full A/C: $572
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Cusco, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paphos 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 Paphos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paphos 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 Paphos Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Paphos or Cusco?
Cusco has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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.