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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Prague is $111, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $50. 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 $68
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Prague $136
    Cusco $46
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 $8.26
    Cusco $9.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:

  • Bus Transfer Between Prague Airport and the City: $5.00
  • River Cruise with Transfer to Pier: $16
  • Prague Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport to Prague Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from Prague Hotels to Prague Airport: $22
  • Private Transfer from Prague City Center to Vaclav Airport (PRG): $24
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport: $25
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Prague Airport to Hotels: $25
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Prague Hotel to Prague Airport: $25
  • One Way Shuttle Airport & Hotel Transfer in Prague: $26
  • Express Train Transfer Ticket to and from Krakow: $26
  • Transfer from train/bus station to Hotel: $31

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $5.40
  • Transfers in Cusco: $6.00
  • One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
  • One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to Velasco Astete Airport: $9.00
  • One-Way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $9.50
  • Transfer Hotel to Airport in Cusco | Private Service |: $10
  • Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $10
  • Transfer From Cusco Airport: $10
  • Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
  • Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
  • Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $13

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 $26
    Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Prague

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


  • Fruit
    $4.30
  • Lunch for One
    $13
  • Bananas
    $0.61
  • Cookies
    $0.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague

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

  • Anti Tour Prague - Self Guided Beer and Food Tour: $21
  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Prague by Night: 2-Hour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $47
  • Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $47
  • Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $52
  • Prague Street Food Tour: $53
  • Vltava River Evening Dinner Cruise: $54
  • Folkloric Dinner Show with Unlimited Drinks: $57
  • 2-Hour Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $58
  • Folklore dinner: $58
  • Vltava River Cruise with Dinner: $58
  • Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks: $59

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

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


  • Sandwich
    $2.15
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

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

  • Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
  • Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
  • CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
  • Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
  • Dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel: $65
  • Peruvian Market Tour And Cooking Class in Cusco: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
  • Awamaki Cooking Class: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Prague $16
    Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Prague

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


  • Opera Tickets
    $4.30
  • Two Tickets for Charles Bridge Tower
    $6.02
  • Image Theatre for Two
    $41

Tours and Activities in Prague

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

  • Bachelorette / Bachelor Party - City sightseeing Trike Tour: $2.79
  • Royal Prague City sightseeing Electric Trike Tour: $3.01
  • Prague Historical & Viewpoints Retro E-Bike Group Tour: $3.05
  • Sunset View & Adventurous Retro E-Bike Tour: $3.05
  • Adventurous Sightseeing & Historical Live Guided Trike Tour: $3.09
  • Bachelorette/Bachelor Party - City sightseeing E-Bike Tour: $3.09
  • Royal Prague City sightseeing Retro E-Bike Live Guided Tour: $3.14
  • Prague City sightseeing in Night Trike Tour: $3.14
  • Gorgeous Prague Night Retro E-Bike Tour ( Live Guided ): $3.18
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Walking tour New Town + Operation Anthropoid WWII Tip based: $3.23
  • Prague Historical & Viewpoints Retro E-Bike Group Tour: $3.26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

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


  • Salsa Class
    $2.69

Tours and Activities in Cusco

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

  • Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
  • Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
  • Walking Tour Cusco: $10
  • Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
  • CUSCO CITY TOUR 2024 Half Day Tour in Cuzco: $10
  • Cusco City Half-Day Tour: $12
  • Open Bus Tour of the City’s Wonder’s: $12
  • Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
  • City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
  • Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
  • Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
  • Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Prague $11
    Cusco $9.46
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
    $6.83

Sample the Local Flavors in Prague

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

  • Staropramem Brewery Self-Guided Tour with Tasting: $13
  • Clock Tower Bar Crawl with Drinks and Shots: $24
  • Clock Tower Bar Crawl in Prague: $26
  • 1 Hour Exclusive Moravian Wine Tasting in an Art Gallery : $28
  • Pub Crawl in Prague: $32
  • Pub Crawl and International Party: $34
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Entry: $34
  • Pub Crawl with 2-Hour Open Bar at Drunken Monkey: $36
  • Golden Burlesque Show & Live Music w/ Lady & The Devil: $37
  • Golden BURLESQUE: $42
  • Prague beer tour with brewery visit and tasting: $47
  • Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Prague: $49

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 Cusco : $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25


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.