Which place is cheaper, Cusco 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 Cusco?
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 Cusco. 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 Cusco?
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.
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 from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Zagreb Prices
Croatia PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb €89Cusco €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is €89, while the average daily cost in Cusco is €57. 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 Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb €48Cusco €22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb €96Cusco €44
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb €9.11Cusco €9.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $11
- Direct bus Transfer from/to Split: $16
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Premium Private Transfer to or from Zagreb Airport: $26
- Zagreb Airport One Way Private Transfer To or From Airport: $28
- Zagreb to Zagreb Airport (ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $43
- Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $48
- CO2-Offset Transfer from Zagreb Train/Bus Station to Zagreb City: $52
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG / Zagreb City: $52
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Zagreb to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $58
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $58
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€1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Transfer (Private Service): $25
- Assistance & Transfers Included | Hassle-free service in Cusco: $30
- Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up (Private Transfer to your Cusco Hotel).: $23
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer: $30
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Transfer: Private Taxi, Van & SUV: $24
- Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 €29Cusco €21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $83
- Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $92
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $197
- Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $199
- Zagreb Hike & Taste - Nature Park. Medieval castle. Local Dinner: $206
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich€2.06
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Mango€0.52
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
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- 3hr Cooking Class in Cusco with 7 traditional recipes & drinks: $55
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Local Market and Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour in Cusco: $65
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
- Best Cusco walking tour: dinner street food tasting: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb €12Cusco €28
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crobites - Zagreb's first free gastro tour: $3.50
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $8.17
- Cravaticum - Museum of The Cravat Entry Ticket: $11
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $11
- TOP Zagreb : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Travel Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $13
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $14
- Experience old town Zagreb: $14
- VR 3D Immersive Film Experience - Voucher: $16
- Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- HaHaHouse Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- HaHaHouse Museum Entry Ticket: $18
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€2.58
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Half Day Walking Tour of Cusco: $5.00
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary® Admission Ticket: $10
- City tour in Cusco.: $11
- Cusco City Tour: Four Ruins in Half Day: $12
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- City Tour in Cusco: $13
- Cusco Open Bus Tour: $14
- Open Bus Cusco City Tour: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo: $14
- Half Day Tour to the South Valley from Cusco: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb €8.92Cusco €9.07
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:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
- Zagreb Restaurants Food & Wine Tasting with Old Town Walking Tour: $104
- Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $110
- WINE TASTING near Zagreb - drink and eat as much as you can!: $140
- Japetić Viewpoint Hike & Plešivica Wine Tasting: $151
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $175
- From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $193
- The Dionysus Tour - Wine Tasting at Plešivica and Samobor visit: $216
- Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $268
- Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $291
- From Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $292
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Cusco, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb is in Europe 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 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 Cusco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Cusco?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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.