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

Should you visit Vilnius or Cuenca?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Cuenca. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Vilnius or Cuenca?

Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Vilnius?

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 Vilnius is $142, 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 Vilnius and Cuenca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vilnius $49
    Cuenca $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vilnius $98
    Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Cuenca

Looking for a hotel in Vilnius 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 Vilnius


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: Vilnius Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vilnius $9.45
    Cuenca $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:

  • Private Transfer from Vilnius Airport to Lithuania: $155
  • From Suburbs Hot Air Balloon Ride w/ Hotel Transfer: $164
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai(transfer included) or Vilnius : $208
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Vilnius or Trakai(transfer included): $208
  • Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $42
  • Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $70
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $235
  • Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $235
  • Trakai Tour with Audio Guide and Minibus Transfers: $35

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Cuenca?

Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Vilnius 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
    Vilnius $78
    Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius

Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius

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

  • Cooking Class in Vilnius : $106
  • Zeppelin Cooking Class: $118

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.
    Vilnius $11
    Cuenca $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:


  • Walking Tour
    $6.80

Tours and Activities in Vilnius

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:

  • Vilnius Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.46
  • Vilnius History and Hidden Gems Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.93
  • Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $7.50
  • Vilnius Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • The Old Town of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Audio Tour of the South Part of the Vilnius Old Town: $11
  • Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core: $12
  • Live guide tour via WhatsApp - Vilnius Ghetto: $12
  • Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $13
  • Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core and the South Part 2in1: $14
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Virtual reality movie - experience I AM LITHUANIA: $18

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vilnius $7.31
    Cuenca $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $5.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius

Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $62
  • Pub Crawl with Welcome Drink and Traditional Snacks: $77


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vilnius and Cuenca, we can see that Vilnius is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vilnius 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 Vilnius would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vilnius 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 Vilnius Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Cuenca?

Vilnius has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Cuenca?

Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Cuenca in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Cuenca. The summer months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the family-friendly experiences. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Vilnius is cooler than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vilnius 18°C (65°F) 
    Cuenca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Cuenca in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Cuenca. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.

In the autumn, Vilnius is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vilnius in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Vilnius usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vilnius 8°C (46°F) 
    Cuenca 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Cuenca in the Winter?

Both Cuenca and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vilnius. In January, Vilnius is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around -5°C (23°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In January, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vilnius -5°C (23°F) 
    Cuenca 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Cuenca in the Spring?

Both Cuenca and Vilnius during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the spring for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.

Vilnius is cooler than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Vilnius usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vilnius 7°C (45°F) 
    Cuenca 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cuenca and Vilnius

Vilnius Cuenca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb -4°C (26°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 1°C (33°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 18°C (65°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)