A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Lake Titicaca (Puno) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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 Lake Titicaca (Puno). 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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.

Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Zurich Prices
    Switzerland Prices
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Zurich $364
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $70. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)


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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

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


  • City Pass (2)
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Zurich Airport Stress-Free Private Transfer: $36
  • ZRH Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $42
  • Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer to Zurich/Lucerne/Interlaken: $48
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $72
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $72
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Transfer : $81
  • Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $81
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Titisee-Neustadt Thermal Arrival Transfer: $84
  • Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $84
  • Private Transfer from Zurich Hotels to Zurich Airport: $87
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $100

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):


  • Taxi
    $0.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):

  • Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
  • Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
  • Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
  • Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
  • Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
  • Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
  • Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $124
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

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


  • Breakfast for 2
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

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

  • Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
  • Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156

Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:


  • Tamales
    $1.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31

Tours and Activities in Zurich

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

  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
  • Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
  • Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
  • Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19

Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:

  • Uros Floating Island Tour: $10
  • 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $13
  • Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
  • Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $15
  • Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
  • Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
  • Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
  • Uros and Taquile Islands From Puno Full Day Tour with Lunch: $30
  • Tour Uros and Taquile Islands in Speedboat (full day): $31
  • Puno City Tour: $31
  • Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
  • Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14

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 Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $39


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.