A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Prague vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Prague or Cusco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Prague and Cusco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Prague or Cusco?

Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Central Europe. Prague has long enticed travelers for its beautiful architecture, impressive bridges, detailed cathedrals, and fascinating history. Prague is unique in that is remained almost completely undamaged during World War II. The medieval city center still feels like you've stepped back in time. Despite this historic atmosphere, there is still a lot of vibrant energy and you'll find many different live music venues, art galleries, modern restaurants, and unique festivals throughout the year.

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 Budget Tours to Czech Republic, The Best Tours for Seniors to Czech Republic, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Prague?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Prague is $145, 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 Prague and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Prague $76
    Cusco $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Prague $152
    Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Prague and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Prague 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.

Hotels in Prague


Hotels in Cusco


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: Prague Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Prague $9.11
    Cusco $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:

  • Transfer from Prague City Center to Vaclav Airport (PRG): $26
  • Transfer from Vaclav Airport (PRG) to Prague City Center: $26
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport to Prague Hotels: $26
  • Prague Airport Private Departure Transfer: $41
  • From Prague Airport to Hotel in Prague Private Transfer VIP: $45
  • Private Transfer to the Airport (PRG): $46
  • Prague Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $47
  • Prague Airport Private Departure Transfer: $47
  • Prague Airport Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport to the City Centre: $47
  • Private ARRIVAL Transfer by LIMOUSINE 3+1pax: $49
  • Private Transfer from Prague Hotels to Prague Airport: $53

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
  • Private Transfer: Airport - Hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley or VV: $9.00
  • Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
  • One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
  • Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
  • Peru Cusco Airport (CUZ) Private Transfer to Cusco City: $10
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cusco to the Airport: $11
  • Private Airport Transfer to Hotel in Cusco City: $11
  • Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotels: $11
  • Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
  • Private transfers from or to Cusco Airport: $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Prague or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Prague 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Prague $50
    Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of dining costs in Prague are as follows:


  • Fruit
    $4.76
  • Lunch for One
    $14
  • Bananas
    $0.67
  • Cookies
    $0.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Prague.

  • Hard Rock Cafe Prague with Set Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Prague Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $58
  • Velvet Revolution Food Tour and History of Socialism: $65
  • Sinatra Tribute Show and Optional Dinner with Audio Guide: $66
  • Folklore Dinner with Unlimited Drinks 4course Menu: $67
  • 3-Hour Prague by Night Dinner Cruise: $71
  • Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances: $75
  • Prague Old Town And Beer Walking Tour Including Dinner: $81
  • Folkloric Dinner with Transfer: $82
  • Alternative bar tour with dinner in the art district: $87
  • Folklore Evening with Music and Dinner: $88
  • Prague Night Tour and River Vltava Dinner Cruise: $90

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.37
  • Mango
    $0.59

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Prague $18
    Cusco $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Prague are as follows:


  • Opera Tickets
    $4.76
  • Two Tickets for Charles Bridge Tower
    $6.66
  • Image Theatre for Two
    $46

Tours and Activities in Prague

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Prague are as follows:

  • Tour of Prague Astronomical Clock and Jewish Quarter: $2.47
  • Prague on a Day Express Tour with the Best of the City: $2.47
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Prague: $3.52
  • Scenic Panoramic views e-Scooter/ eBike Guided Tour of Prague: $3.52
  • Grand City Tour of Prague on Retro Styled E-Bike: $3.52
  • Prague Essential Tour Old Town and Jewish Quarter: $3.52
  • Electric Trike Night Tour in Prague - Live Guided: $3.52
  • Prague Panoramic Views Live Guided Tour on Trike EBike EScooter: $3.52
  • Prague's Panoramic Viewpoints & Sightseeing on Electric Trike: $3.52
  • Walking Tour New Town of Prague, WWII & Communism (Tip-based): $3.53
  • Prague Castle Tour: $3.53
  • Guided Old Town & Jewish quarter Walking Tour Prague (Tip-based): $3.53

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.96

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Prague $12
    Cusco $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Prague

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Prague from other travelers:


  • A Bottle of Wine
    $7.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Prague

Also in Prague, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting in a Historical Cellar in Krizikova: $47
  • Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl with 2hr Open Bar & Duplex Club Entry: $48
  • Drunken Monkey Prague Boat Party Pub Crawl: Open Bar & Club Entry: $55
  • Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Prague: $58
  • Craft Beer Tour: Try 8 Czech Beers, Brewery and Beer Garden: $61
  • Prague Historic Pub Tour with Drinks Included: $64
  • COUNTRY BIKE TOUR TO UNETICE BREWERY. Bike / e-Bike tour: $76
  • Czech Local Wine Tasting in Grape & Sour: $82
  • Bohemian Paradise Day Tour from nature, castles, brewery: $141
  • Full Day Private Tour to Kutná Hora with Wine Tasting: $176
  • Private Pilsen City Tour Culture History and Brewery Experience: $181
  • From Private Bohemian Wine Tour & Local Delicacies: $223

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 Prague and Cusco, we can see that Prague is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Prague 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 Prague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Prague 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 Prague Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Prague or Cusco?

Prague has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Prague 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.