Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Petra?
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 Petra or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Cusco?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, 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 Petra and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Petra and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Cusco $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $99
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
- Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
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:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Private Transfer: Airport - Hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley or VV: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Pickup from Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel in Private vehicle: $9.52
- Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
- Peru Cusco Airport (CUZ) Private Transfer to Cusco City: $10
- Private Transfer from Cusco Hotel to Airport: $11
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotels: $11
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cusco to the Airport: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Petra 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 dayPetra $66Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
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.Petra $47Cusco $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
- Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $60
- Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
- Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: Treasury, Siq & Ancient City: $75
- Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
- Wadi Rum Private Guided Tour: $105
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
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:
- Half Day Walking Tour of Cusco: $5.00
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary® Admission Ticket: $10
- City tour in Cusco.: $11
- Cusco City Tour: Four Ruins in Half Day: $12
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- City Tour in Cusco: $13
- Cusco Open Bus Tour: $14
- Open Bus Cusco City Tour: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo: $14
- Half Day Tour to the South Valley from Cusco: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Cusco $10
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 Petra and Cusco, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Cusco?
Cusco has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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.