Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Paris?
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 Paris or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Paris or Cusco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Paris or Cusco?
Paris
Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."
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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Paris Prices
France PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayParis €265Cusco €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €265, 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 Paris and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personParis €153Cusco €22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomParis €306Cusco €44
Compare Hotels in Paris and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Paris 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: Paris Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paris €21Cusco €9.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
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Metro€6.40
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Train from Airport€9.00
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Metro tickets€6.80
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Train€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports DISNEYLAND: $23
- Transfer from/to PARISNORMANDY (DEAUVILLE, MONT ST MICHEL): $23
- McArthurGlen Paris-Giverny Designer Outlet transfer from Paris: $33
- Paris CDG Airport to and from Paris City and Disneyland Transfer: $34
- Paris Private Transfer: One-Way City Ride: $37
- Private Transfer Service in Paris – Select Your Route: $39
- Notre Dame Interior and Exterior tour with Optional transfer: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Paris Train Station to Hotel: $44
- CDG/ORY Airport Private Transfer to/from Paris City Center: $45
- Private Transfer CDG Airport→ Disneyland by Sedan: $46
- Paris Private Airport Transfers - Comfort Cars: $46
- Transfer From/To Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG): $47
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:
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado: $169
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $166
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer from Cusco Hotel, airport to Sacred Valley: $90
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco city or airport- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $81
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Urubamba: $60
- Airport Transfer from Juliaca to Puno: $59
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco: $54
- Private Transfer: Cusco to Ollantaytambo Train Station: $50
- Private Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo Train Station: $45
- Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco with Hotel Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Paris 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 dayParis €72Cusco €21
Typical Food Prices in Paris
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
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Ice Cream€8.00
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Breakfast€7.00
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Breakfast for 2€30
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Dinner on River Cruise€86
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Dinner€57
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Cheese€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Paris Marais Walking Food Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $66
- Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $68
- Seine River Cruise and Dinner at Traditional Parisian Restaurant: $74
- Paris Theo Boat Seine River Italian Trattoria Style Dinner Cruise: $75
- Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris: $75
- Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $75
- Paris Food Tour: $80
- Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $83
- 2 Hour Express Paris Centre Food Tour with 4 Tastings & Fine Wine: $87
- Award Winning Local Paris Food Tour with Cheeses, Wines & Secrets: $87
- Montmartre Pastries and Chocolate Food Tour with 6+ Tastings: $92
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich€2.06
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Mango€0.52
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
- Cusco Billingual Cooking Class at 6pm: $40
- Bilingual Cooking Class with Pisco Cocktail in Cusco: $40
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- 3hr Cooking Class in Cusco with 7 traditional recipes & drinks: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paris €76Cusco €28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Louvre Entry for Two€18
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Admission to Pantheon€5.00
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Catacombs (2)€23
Tours and Activities in Paris
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
- Free Perfume Museum & Opera District Tour in English: $2.77
- Paris - Latin Quarter Free Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.25
- Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $3.47
- Montmartre Walking Tour: Artists & the Soul of Paris: $3.47
- Paris Le Marais Self Guided Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.48
- Paris Notre-Dame Tour with Scheduled Group Access: $3.48
- Paris Montmartre Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt: $3.48
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $4.63
- Rude Bastards Tour of Paris: $4.63
- Central Paris Highlights Walking Tour: $4.64
- Paris Time Machine: Hidden Gems Walking Tour (Tips-Based): $4.64
- Louvre Museum, Self Guided Video Tour: $5.00
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€2.58
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 days 1 night - Machupicchu by bus tour: $220
- 2-Day Guided Tour of Ausangate Trek: $290
- 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by Minivan from Budget Adventure: $203
- 2-Day Rainbow Mountain Tour with Hotel Stay: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayParis €24Cusco €9.07
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
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Wine€14
Sample the Local Flavors in Paris
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
- The Original Pub Crawl + Free Shots + VIP Club Entry: $20
- Paris City Center Guided Pub Crawl With Shots & Club Entry: $20
- Paris Montmartre Cheese Charcuterie Wine Tasting with Audio Tour: $29
- Paris International Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Fun Games: $29
- Visit and tasting at the distillery L'Alambic Parisien: $32
- Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
- Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $41
- Paris A burlesque cabaret in a former brothel: $43
- Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $54
- Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $68
- Paris Wine Tasting & French Cheese Pairing with Sommelier: $70
- Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with a Local Cheesemonger: $80
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
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Cusco, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Paris or Cusco?
Paris has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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.