Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb 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 Zagreb 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: Zagreb or Cuenca?
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Zagreb Prices
Croatia PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $105Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $105, 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 Zagreb and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $57Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $114Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $11Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Airport Transfer: Zagreb to Zagreb Airport ZAG by Luxury Car: $118
- Airport Zagreb Transfer and Shuttle : $107
- Bratislava: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to BTS: $332
- Budapest: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to Budapest: $423
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG / Zagreb City: $51
- CO2-Offset Departure Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport: $72
- From Sarajevo: 1-Way Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $410
- From Split: Transfer to Zagreb with Stop at Plitvice Lakes: $163
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $17
- From Transfer to Split & Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $163
- Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop: $165
- Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Sibenik: $296
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 Zagreb or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Zagreb 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 dayZagreb $34Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Food Tour with Tastings: $104
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $106
- Bite Back in Time: Zagreb's Food Tour Spiced with History : $131
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $155
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $161
- Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $184
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $201
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.Zagreb $14Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Searching for Love in Romantic Exploration Game and Tour: $5.95
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $7.02
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $8.19
- Monuments to Modernism: An Audio Tour of the Zagreb Trade Fair: $8.99
- Cravaticum - Museum of The Cravat Entry Ticket: $9.36
- Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $14
- VR 3D Immersive Film Experience - Voucher: $14
- City and WWII Tunnels Walking Tour: $18
- Zagreb Time Travel – Discover Zagreb with a fun interactive tablet city tour!: $18
- City & History Walking Tour & WW2 Tunnels: $18
- Jump into Walking Tour with local guide: $21
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 dayZagreb $10Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
- Zagreb Pub Crawl 1Hour of Unlimited Drinks Club Entry: $35
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $106
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $176
- From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $183
- Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $274
- Private Wine Tour from Two Local Wineries & Samobor : $285
- Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $286
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Cuenca, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb 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 Zagreb would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zagreb 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 Zagreb Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Cuenca?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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 Zagreb or Cuenca?
Zagreb 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 Zagreb or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zagreb is around the same temperature as Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In July, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 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 JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Zagreb during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
In the autumn, Zagreb is around the same temperature as Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zagreb in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Zagreb usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Zagreb gets 70 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 OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Cuenca. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In January, Zagreb is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 1°C (35°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 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 JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Cuenca. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Zagreb is a little warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Zagreb usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 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 AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.