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

Should you visit Singapore or Cusco?

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

Should I visit Singapore 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: Singapore or Cusco?

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Singapore?

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 Singapore is $179, 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 Singapore and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Singapore $102
    Cusco $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Singapore $204
    Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Singapore and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Singapore 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 Singapore


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: Singapore Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Singapore $11
    Cusco $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:

  • Attractions Shared Transfers from Hotel: $12
  • Changi Airport (SIN) Private One-Way Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer: Singapore to Sentosa Island: $26
  • Singapore Changi SIN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $27
  • Singapore Private Airport Transfer, Hotel Departure: Meet & Greet: $28
  • Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $28
  • Changi Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfer: $29
  • Singapore Changi Airport: Singapore Private Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Airport Transfer in Singapore: $31
  • Private Attraction Transfers for Singapore: $31
  • Hotel to Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $34
  • Luxurious Airport/Cruise Transfers Singapore: $35

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 Singapore or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Singapore 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
    Singapore $50
    Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Singapore

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


  • Breakfast
    $4.75
  • Sugarcane Juice
    $1.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore

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

  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings (Self-Guided Hunt): $56
  • Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
  • Chinatown History and Food Tour in Singapore: $60
  • Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
  • Breakfast Food Tour in Singapore: $60
  • Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
  • Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
  • Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $74
  • Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $74
  • Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $75

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.
    Singapore $34
    Cusco $32

Tours and Activities in Singapore

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

  • Live Like a Local in Singapore (Half-day Tour): $3.20
  • Singapore City Walking Tour: Heartbeat of the City: $4.01
  • Singapore Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
  • Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
  • Ticket to Singapore Changi Chapel and Museum: $6.59
  • Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Singapore Singtel Best 5G/4G Tourist SIMs with SG Transport Card: $7.08
  • Singapore Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $7.21
  • Singapore Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.65
  • National Orchid Garden Admission Ticket: $7.72
  • Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.75

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
    Singapore $28
    Cusco $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:

  • Little India Pub Crawl: $24
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $31
  • Singapore Pub Crawl: $39
  • Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
  • Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
  • LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
  • LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192

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


Which is Bigger, Singapore or Cusco?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Singapore 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.