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

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Cusco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv 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: Tel Aviv or Cusco?

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.

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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Tel Aviv?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $140, 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 Tel Aviv and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $87
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $174
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv


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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $8.78
    Cusco $9.96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:


  • Local Bus to Central Bus Station
    $1.59
  • Taxi to Airport
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $34
  • Private Tel Aviv Departure Transfer from your Hotel /Accommodation to Airport: $35
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $47
  • Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
  • Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $52
  • Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv City Hotels to Ashdod Cruise Port: $73
  • Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to Multi Destination: $75
  • Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
  • VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
  • VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78

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 Tel Aviv or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Tel Aviv 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
    Tel Aviv $28
    Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $23
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $131
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $34
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $3.77
  • Lunch at the airport
    $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv

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

  • Tel Aviv Food Tour of the Carmel Market: $49
  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
  • Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
  • Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
  • 3 hours Levinsky Market Food Tour : $104
  • The 10 Tastings of Tel Aviv With Locals: Private Food Tour : $230
  • Private Food Tour to Carmel Market : $266

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.
    Tel Aviv $23
    Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv

Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Masada tour from Tel Aviv
    $79
  • Etzel museum
    $4.04

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • The Trail of Independence: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Tel Aviv: $9.99
  • The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Discover Tel Aviv's Bauhaus Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
  • All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $28
  • Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
  • Tel Aviv Jaffo Skyline Sightseeing Cruise of Coast Line: $29
  • Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $35
  • Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
  • Jaffa and Neve Tzedek Neighborhoods Walking Tour: $39

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
    Tel Aviv $22
    Cusco $9.46

Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:

  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $22
  • Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
  • Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $30
  • Tel Aviv Craft Beers Pub Crawl: $42
  • Wine Tour North of Israel from Tel Aviv: $959

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


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Cusco?

Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv 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.