A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Cuenca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit The Hague or Cuenca?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: The Hague or Cuenca?

The Hague

The Hague is a metropolitan city in the province of South Holland, where the Dutch government is located. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima currently reside there with their three children. The Hague is home to the U.N.'s International Court of Justice, as well as the International Criminal Court. It is the third largest city in the country, with a population of just over 500,000.

Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or The Hague?

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 The Hague is $256, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 The Hague and Cuenca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    The Hague $122
    Cuenca $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    The Hague $244
    Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in The Hague and Cuenca

Looking for a hotel in The Hague or Cuenca? 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 The Hague


Hotels in Cuenca


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: The Hague Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    The Hague $22
    Cuenca $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in The Hague

Also for The Hague, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Den Haag: Train Transfer Den Haag from/to Rotterdam: $9.05
  • Eindhoven: Train Transfer Eindhoven from/to Den Haag: $30
  • Premium Electric transfer from Delft to Schiphol Airport: $175
  • Premium electric Transfer from The Hague to Schiphol Airport : $179
  • Private Direct Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam: $184
  • Private Tour of Delft & Rotterdam with Cube House and Transfer: $226
  • Private Tour of Delft and Gouda including Transfer: $262
  • Private Tour of Delft and The Hague including Transfer: $226
  • Private Tour of The Hague and Gouda including Transfer: $262
  • Private Transfer from The Hague City to Schiphol Airport : $155
  • Private Transfer: Amsterdam Airport to The Hague (Den Haag): $121
  • Private direct transfer from The Hague to Arnhem: $292

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:

  • Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
  • Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into The Hague or Cuenca?

Prices for flights to both Cuenca and The Hague 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
    The Hague $112
    Cuenca $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in The Hague

For The Hague, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small-Group Food Tour Scheveningen Beachside in The Hague: $77

Typical Food Prices in Cuenca

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


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Snacks
    $5.00
  • Empanada
    $1.50
  • Hot Dog
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca

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

  • Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
  • Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
  • Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
  • Private Cooking Class: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    The Hague $40
    Cuenca $16

Tours and Activities in The Hague

For The Hague, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • The Hague 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.56
  • Delft 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.57
  • The Hague Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
  • The Hague Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
  • Hague: The Heart of Old Town Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
  • Delft Exploration Game and Tour: The Blue's Clues: $7.13
  • Courtyard Walking Tour: $9.40
  • City Walking Tour: $9.40
  • Dahlia Tour in Voorhout: $11
  • Muzee Scheveningen History Museum Entry Ticket: $12
  • Discover Delft's Golden Age: A Self-Guided Tour: $12
  • Pub Trail Delft: an adventure full of surprises: $13

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

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

  • Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
  • Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
  • Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
  • Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
  • Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
  • Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
  • Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $110
  • Complete excursion Ingapirca & Gualaceo Chordeleg Tour Archaeological Artisanal: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    The Hague $35
    Cuenca $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between The Hague and Cuenca, we can see that The Hague is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since The Hague is in Europe and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague than you might in Cuenca.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is The Hague Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, The Hague or Cuenca?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of The Hague and Cuenca, 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.


When is the best time to visit The Hague or Cuenca?

The Hague has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Cuenca in the Summer?

Both Cuenca and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to The Hague in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.

In the summer, The Hague is cooler than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The Hague usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    The Hague 17°C (62°F) 
    Cuenca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Cuenca in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Cuenca. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, The Hague is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In October, The Hague usually receives more rain than Cuenca. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    The Hague 11°C (51°F) 
    Cuenca 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Cuenca in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Cuenca. The winter months attract visitors to The Hague because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. The weather in The Hague can be very cold. The Hague is much colder than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

The Hague usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    The Hague 2°C (36°F) 
    Cuenca 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Cuenca in the Spring?

Both Cuenca and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, The Hague is cooler than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, The Hague usually receives more rain than Cuenca. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    The Hague 8°C (46°F) 
    Cuenca 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cuenca and The Hague

The Hague Cuenca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)