A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Guatemala City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich or Guatemala City?

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 Guatemala City. 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 Guatemala City?

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.

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Zurich?

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 Zurich is $347, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $188
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $376
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Guatemala City? 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 Zurich


Hotels in Guatemala City


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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $39
    Guatemala City $6.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • ZRH Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $51
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $68
  • Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $76
  • Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $80
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $90
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $90
  • Arrival Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City in Private Car/Van: $94
  • Departure Transfer from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Private Car/Van: $94
  • Private Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $96
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $96
  • Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $96
  • Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Sedan: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $20
  • Departure Transfer: Guatemala City Hotels to Airport: $20
  • One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $25
  • Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $28
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
  • La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $118
    Guatemala City $27
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

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


  • 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: $137
  • Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $188

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
  • Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Pacaya Volcano Private Tour: Nature, Adventure and Pizza: $175
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $176
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
  • Pacaya Volcano. Tour and pizza making on Volcanic Heat: $275
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $39
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Zurich

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

  • Zurich Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.41
  • St Gallen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Podcast Tour Winterthur Iron Canvas and Empire: $5.47
  • Zurich Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.71
  • Original Zürich Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.27
  • Zurich Old Town Self Guided Tour of Saints and Sausages: $7.99
  • Stein am Rhein Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.77
  • Schaffhausen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.77
  • TOP Zurich : Private guided tour with your mobile: $11
  • Zurich Historic Old Town Audio Self Guided Tour: $12
  • A Dark Tour of Zurich: $25
  • Free Walking Tour Zurich: $25

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
  • Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
  • Guatemala City Express: Half-day city tour: $45
  • Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
  • Heart of Guatemala City Tour with Local Guide: $50
  • Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
  • Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
  • Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $32
    Guatemala City $6.95

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

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

  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $38
  • Turicum Distillery Tour: $81

Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City

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

  • Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Guatemala City, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Guatemala City is in Central 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Guatemala City, 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.