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

Should you visit Stockholm or Cusco?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Stockholm and Cusco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Stockholm or Cusco?

Stockholm

Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and is made up of over 14 islands that are connected by countless bridges. Water is an integral part of the city, but so are parks and gardens. The city is covered in strategically positioned green space. Together, the water and parkland cover more than half of the city's area, giving this bustling city a breath of fresh air.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Stockholm?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Stockholm is $169, 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 Stockholm and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Stockholm $96
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Stockholm $192
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Stockholm and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Stockholm 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 Stockholm


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: Stockholm Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Stockholm $20
    Cusco $9.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Stockholm

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Stockholm:

  • Arlanda Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
  • Train Transfer between City and Arlanda Airport: $21
  • Skavsta Airport Bus Transfer: $26
  • Stockholm City to Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Stockholm Port to Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Private Transfer from Bromma Airport (BMA) to Stockholm Port: $37
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm Port to Bromma Airport BMA: $37
  • Stockholm Hotels to Nynashamn Cruise Port Private Transfer: $38
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm Port to Arlanda Airport (ARN): $39
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm Cruise Port to Stockholm hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Cruise Port: $41
  • Stockholm hotel to Stockholm Port Departure Private Transfer: $41

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:

  • Cusco – Puno Direct Transfers: $24
  • Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $13
  • Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Airport: Private 1-Way Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
  • Cusco Private Transfer to Poroy Railway Station: $15
  • Cusco to Ollantaytambo: One-Way Private Transfer: $55
  • Abode of the Gods ATV Tour with Transfer: $30
  • Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour w/ Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
  • Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290
  • One-Way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $9.50

Is it cheaper to fly into Stockholm or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Stockholm 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
    Stockholm $36
    Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Stockholm

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Stockholm:


  • Breakfast
    $9.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Stockholm

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

  • Food Tour: $102
  • Stockholm Food Tour: $103
  • Stockholm Walking Food Tour With Small Group: $119
  • From Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $129

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.
    Stockholm $25
    Cusco $29

Tours and Activities in Stockholm

Here are a few actual costs in Stockholm for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hour Free Walking Tour in Stockholm: $0.93
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour Stockholm (Old Town and Surroundings): $3.28
  • Walking Tour: Modern Stockholm City: $4.17
  • Walking Tour Stockholm Old Town: $4.17
  • Tour a pie Estocolmo la Ciudad Vieja: $4.63
  • Central A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Central A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Gamla Stan's Landmarks and legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • History and Secrets of Gamla Stan Audio GPS Guided Walking Tour: $6.20
  • Stockholm City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Stockholm Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55

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
    Stockholm $26
    Cusco $9.46

Sample the Local Flavors in Stockholm

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

  • Swedish Wine Tasting Tour in Stockholm Gamla Stan: $282
  • Swedish Wine Tasting Tour in Stockholm Gamla Stan: $284

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


Which is Bigger, Stockholm or Cusco?

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