Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Utrecht?
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 Utrecht or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Utrecht or Cuenca? 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: Utrecht or Cuenca?
Utrecht
Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Utrecht Prices
Netherlands PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUtrecht $271Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Utrecht is $271, 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 Utrecht and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUtrecht $125Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUtrecht $250Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Utrecht and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Utrecht 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.
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: Utrecht Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Utrecht $27Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:
- Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $131
- Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $111
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Utrecht or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Utrecht 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 dayUtrecht $117Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.
- Utrecht Food Tour on a Bicycle with local guide: $81
- Utrecht Food Tour with local guide: $83
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Utrecht $51Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Utrecht
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:
- Utrecht 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.58
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht's Charming City Centre: $5.99
- Discover Utrecht's Highlights: Your Self-Guided GPS Tour: $8.29
- Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
- Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.53
- Utrecht Historic City: a Self-Guided Augmented Reality Tour: $12
- Pub Trail an adventure full of surprises: $13
- Pub Trail Utrecht An Adventure Full of Surprises: $13
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $16
- Utrecht Guided Highlights Walking Tour: $19
- Utrecht Walking Tour with a local comedian as guide: $23
- Escape Tours Utrecht; find the secret exit and win! : $24
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
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUtrecht $28Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Utrecht and Cuenca, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Cuenca?
Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Cuenca?
Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Cuenca. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Utrecht is cooler than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Utrecht in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In July, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyUtrecht 17°C (62°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Cuenca. The autumn months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In October, Utrecht is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 11°C (51°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Utrecht usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberUtrecht 11°C (51°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. It's quite cold in Utrecht in the winter. Utrecht is much colder than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryUtrecht 2°C (36°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Utrecht during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
In the spring, Utrecht is cooler than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Utrecht in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Utrecht usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilUtrecht 8°C (46°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Utrecht
| Utrecht | 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) |
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.