Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Porto?
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 Porto or Cuenca?
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 Porto and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Porto or Cuenca?
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Porto Prices
Portugal PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPorto $187Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Porto is $187, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Porto and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorto $84Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorto $168Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Porto and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Porto or Cuenca? 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: Porto Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porto $24Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Porto Airport OPO to Porto by Luxury Van : $108
- Airport Transfers: $30
- Arrival Transfer from Porto Airport OPO to Porto in Private Car/Van: $106
- Departure Transfer: Porto to Porto Airport OPO in Luxury Car: $149
- Departure Transfer: Porto to Porto Airport OPO in Luxury Van: $106
- Douro Valley Private One-Way Transfer (Régua, Pinhão, Lamego): $191
- From Private transfer to Lisbon with up to 3 Stops: $269
- From Transfer to Lisbon with up to 3 City Stops: $269
- Funchal to Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools Day Transfer: $70
- Gaia Private Transfer to Oporto Airport: $17
- Gaia Private Transfer to Porto: $20
- Madeira: Porto da Cruz to Machico Hiking Tour with Transfer: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Porto 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 dayPorto $74Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class Antero de Quental: $42
- Porto Walking Food Tour: $66
- Bolhão Market Guided Food Tour: $78
- Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour : $83
- Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $83
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class in Porto with Chef Maria: $89
- Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $90
- Porto Heritage Night Tour With Fado Show And Dinner Included: $94
- Porto Food & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $94
- Porto Food Tour of 8 Tastings: Custard Tart, Bifana & Hidden Gems: $95
- Private Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $96
- Fado Show with Dinner in a Traditional Fado House: $102
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Porto $30Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- Self-Guided Tour Adventure Discovering Porto: $1.17
- Porto Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.20
- Self Guided Tour in Porto with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.58
- Porto - Origin & Present - Guided Tour: $3.59
- Tour of Vila Nova de Gaia : $3.59
- Porto's Old Town Tour & Ribeira: $3.59
- Porto Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.59
- Porto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.49
- Porto Highlights the Original Walking Tour: $4.78
- Porto by the Ocean: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $7.16
- Amazing Secrets of Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $7.16
- Love in Romantic Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $110
- Complete excursion Ingapirca & Gualaceo Chordeleg Tour Archaeological Artisanal: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPorto $22Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- Wine Experience Museum with 3 Wine Tastings: $24
- Private visit with wine tasting in Alijó Douro: $24
- Pub Crawl Porto: $26
- Flavours of Portugal – Wine Tastings at WOW Wine School: $30
- Taylor's Port Cellars Visit & Port Wine Tasting: $30
- Halloween Pub Crawl 4 bars, 1 club, Scary Games & 7 Drinks: $30
- Authentic Oporto Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $33
- Porto Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $36
- Porto City Tour with Wine Tasting: $41
- 5 Port Wine Tasting with pairings: $42
- Luxury Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting & Snacks: $54
- Port and Douro Wine Walking Tour With 10 Wine Tastings: $54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porto and Cuenca, we can see that Porto is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Porto is in Europe and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto than you might in Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porto or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Cuenca, 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.
When is the best time to visit Porto or Cuenca?
Porto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Porto or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Porto as well as Cuenca. Many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In the summer, Porto is around the same temperature as Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Porto usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cuenca. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPorto 21°C (69°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Porto or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Porto is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite rainy in Porto. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPorto 17°C (62°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Porto or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Porto during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. Porto is much warmer than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorto 10°C (50°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Porto or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Cuenca. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Porto is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPorto 14°C (56°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Porto
| Porto | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.