Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Ushuaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ushuaia or Tilcara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ushuaia or Tilcara? 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: Ushuaia or Tilcara?
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUshuaia $11Tilcara $7.81
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $11, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $7.81. 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 Ushuaia and Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUshuaia $5.34Tilcara $3.08
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $11Tilcara $6.16
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia or Tilcara? 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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Tilcara $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
- Transfer from/to the airport: $129
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
- Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Sky Resort Roundtrip Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tilcara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tilcara:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara and Ushuaia 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 dayUshuaia $2.07Tilcara $3.23
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $118
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $290
Typical Food Prices in Tilcara
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:
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Sandwich$0.01
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Burger$0.01
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Fruit$0.01
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Sandwich$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara
For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ushuaia $12Tilcara $1.84
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $165
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5-hour adventure in Panorama Blanco: $179
- 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $130
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $115
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $219
- Assisted Bicycle Experience at Estancia Tunnel: $225
- Assisted Bicycle Experience in Urban Landscapes: $120
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $35
- Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $217
- Private Full Day Tour to Salinas de Grandes and Barrancas: $130
- Purmamarca Night Experience: $30
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- Half day mountain bike tour with lunch: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Tilcara $1.01
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Tilcara, we can see that Ushuaia is more expensive. And not only is Tilcara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tilcara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tilcara 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 Ushuaia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ushuaia than you might in Tilcara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Tilcara?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia and Tilcara, 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.