Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Zurich?
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 Zurich or Arequipa?
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 Zurich and Arequipa. 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: Zurich or Arequipa?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $354Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $354, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Zurich and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $192Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $384Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Arequipa? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $40Arequipa $6.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $97
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $97
- Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $101
- Departure Transfer from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Private Car/Van: $101
- English Speaking Zurich to Basel Private Car Transfer: $152
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $89
- Premium Transfer from Zürich Airport to Zurich city or Zürich city to Airport: $124
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $447
- Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Zurich City: $130
- Private Executive Transfers in Zurich Airport and Zurich City: $151
- Private One Way Transfer from Zurich to Lucerne: $122
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.47
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Zurich 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 dayZurich $121Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $175
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.09
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.88
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $40Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.83
- Zurich Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h45 and 20 audio reviews: $6.88
- St Gallen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.98
- Neuhausen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.86
- Historical Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the city of 1,000 Fountains: $9.99
- Stein am Rhein Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $10
- Zurich Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- TOP Zurich : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
- Zurich Historic Old Town Audio Self Guided Tour: $12
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: $18
- Reformation in Zurich Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.94
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Salsa Class$2.94
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Movie Ticket$3.21
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Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Rafting in Arequipa Chili River Half Day Tour: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Rafting in Arequipa Chili River Half day Tour: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Gorge Tour from Arequipa: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $33Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Turicum Distillery Tour: $82
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Arequipa, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Arequipa 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Arequipa, 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.