Which place is cheaper, Cusco 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 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Cusco?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $354Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $354, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $192Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $384Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $40Cusco $11
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:
- Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer to Zurich/Lucerne/Interlaken: $48
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $70
- Private Zurich Airport Transfers to and from Zurich Hotels: $70
- Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $82
- Private Zurich Airport Transfer to City - one way or round-trip: $82
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Titisee-Neustadt Thermal Arrival Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Sedan: $88
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Sedan: $88
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $89
- 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
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$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Private Transfer: Airport - Hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley or VV: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Pickup from Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel in Private vehicle: $9.52
- Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
- Peru Cusco Airport (CUZ) Private Transfer to Cusco City: $10
- Private Transfer from Cusco Hotel to Airport: $11
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotels: $11
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cusco to the Airport: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 $121Cusco $25
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 Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.35
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Mango$0.59
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.Zurich $40Cusco $32
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 Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.94
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 dayZurich $33Cusco $10
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
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 Zurich and Cusco, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 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 Cusco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Cusco?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.