Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Tokyo?
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 Tokyo or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Cusco?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $183Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $183, 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 Tokyo and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $76Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $152Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Cusco $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to Tokyo 23Wards 18-45 seater Bus One Way Transfer: $6.64
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to/from City Center: $30
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $34
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Haneda Airport(HND): $42
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $53
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
- Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way): $55
- Tokyo TeamLab Planets Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $57
- Tokyo TeamLab Borderless Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $57
- Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea: Private Transfer To/From Tokyo Hotels: $59
- Private transfer from Central Tokyo to Disney Resort: $60
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Tokyo Cruise Port: $60
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$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $291
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado: $172
- Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $169
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Ollantaytambo: $153
- Private Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $150
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Transfer from Cusco to Urubamba Visiting Chinchero, Maras and Moray: $120
- Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station: $95
- Cusco Airport Private Transfer with large Van: $90
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo Cusco Peru: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $64Cusco $25
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.21
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.21
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Meal at Airport$6.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $20
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $20
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $23
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $30
- Shinjuku: 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $30
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $30
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $30
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Tokyo Samurai Night Show with Dinner and Photos: $43
- Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $43
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.38
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Mango$0.60
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
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $53
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- San Pedro Market Tour with Peruvian Cooking Class: $57
- High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market: $57
- Cooking classes A tour through the flavors in Cusco: $60
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $68Cusco $32
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour Most Fresh Tuna Fish: $3.32
- Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $3.53
- Podcast Tour Tokyo From Market to Sushi Masterpiece: $5.66
- Tokyo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Nihonbashi ultime Edo local Tour: $6.64
- Mt Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Private Bus Tour: $6.64
- Shinjuku Kabukicho Night Walking Tour: $6.64
- Marunouchi Night Tour: History and Views: $6.64
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $7.07
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.99
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.26
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$2.98
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $59
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lakes Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $48
- 1 Day Palcoyo 7-Color Mountain Hiking Tour: $45
- 1-Day Tour Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: $190
- 1-Day Tour Sacred Valley From Cusco: $120
- 2 Day Tour to Machupicchu by Minivan: $145
- 2 Days Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $169
- 2-Day Guided Tour of Ausangate Trek: $290
- 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by Minivan from Budget Adventure: $203
- 3-days Special Offer Inca Jungle tour to Machu Picchu: $282
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour to The South Valley of Cusco: $170
- 7 Ausangate Lakes Tour Full Day from Cusco: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Cusco $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $33
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $37
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $93
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $93
- Mt. Fuji Area Day Tour: Wine Tasting, Shine Muscat & Scenic Views: $100
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $106
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $106
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $126
- Chiba Nabedana Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $133
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: $17
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Cusco, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Cusco?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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.