Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Sydney?
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 Sydney or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Cusco, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sydney or Cusco?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Sydney Prices
Australia PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $225Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $225, 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 Sydney and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $112Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $224Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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.
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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $16Cusco $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Sydney Port Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City Hotel: $27
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel to Sydney Cruise Port: $27
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $27
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $29
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $33
- Sydney Airport Vip Transfer to city: $36
- SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $39
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $42
- Private Transfer Sydney International Airport SYD to Sydney City: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Transfer from Juliaca to Puno: $59
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up – Private Transfer to Your Hotel: $7.50
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $12
- Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Private Airport Transfer Arrival Departure or Round Trip: $15
- Cusco Private Transfer to Poroy Railway Station: $15
- Cusco to Puno Direct Bus Transfer: $37
- Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour with Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
- Cuzco city or airport to Ollantaytambo train station -Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $107
- Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $291
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Sydney 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 daySydney $84Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.85
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Lunch Special$11
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$11
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Meat Pies$3.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $40
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Vivid Sydney Fireworks Dinner Cruises: $47
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $54
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Vivid Tall Ships Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $65
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $65
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.35
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Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
- Bilingual Cooking Class with Pisco Cocktail in Cusco: $40
- Cusco Billingual Cooking Class at 6pm: $40
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina & Pisco Sour in Cusco: $51
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Cusco Cooking Class Adventure: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $34Cusco $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$32
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$33
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$136
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Powerhouse Museum$11
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney Botanic Garden: Kids Quest Family Walking Adventure: $6.53
- Sydney's Lavender Bay: An Audio Tour by ABC Broadcaster: $6.99
- Sydney Ghost Tour: $8.00
- Sydney’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $11
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Sydney Harbour Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $12
- Amazing Audio Tour: Experience Sydney Adventure: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
- Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
- Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.94
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Free Walking tour in Cusco: $5.00
- Half Day Walking Tour of Cusco: $5.00
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $9.60
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Cultural & Historic Walking Tour with Local Drinks: $10
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Local Music: $14
- Open Bus Cusco City Tour: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo: $15
- Cusco City Tour 1/2 Day: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $16Cusco $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Wollongong: Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour & Cellar visit: $28
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $28
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $84
- Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour: $86
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from 3 Wineries & Vineyard Picnic: $110
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Discover Cusco Nightlife with Bar Crawl Cusco: $16
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Cusco, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sydney or Cusco?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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.
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.