Are you thinking about traveling to Cusco and need to set a budget? Here we tell you how much it costs to travel to Cusco. Cusco is an incredibly interesting city. It was the capital of the Inca Empire, and much of that rich history and culture lives on in its winding streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and incredible archaeological sites, some of which date back more than 3,000 years.
Cusco offers endless incredible experiences for travelers; from exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to drinking Cusco beer at local restaurants in the Plaza de Armas. Cusco has something for everyone and should be on everyone's bucket list.
Because of this, you should keep in mind the high and low seasons so you can travel at a time when you don't have to spend so much money and at the same time there aren't so many tourists.
How much does it cost to travel to Cusco?
How much do flights to Cusco cost?
To know how much it costs to travel to Cusco, it is important to first know the price of flights. Flights to Cusco are available from $58 USD leaving from the city of Lima. I share with you other price references, in case you are leaving from another city.
- From Arequipa $52 USD
- From Trujillo $124 USD
- From Piura $125 USD
How much does accommodation cost in Cusco?
We can find different prices for hotels in Cusco depending on the category and services they offer.
Cusco offers a wide variety of accommodations for all kinds of tourists, among the best areas to stay are: Historic Center, Plaza de Armas and San Blas Neighborhood.
Some reference prices:
- Room in a 2-star hotel for 2 people from $25 USD per night
- Room in a 3-star hotel for 2 people from S41 USD per night
- Room in a 4-star hotel for 2 people from $63 USD per night
How much does transportation cost in Cusco?
If you are going to be in the city of Cusco and you are going to tour the historic center, your best option is to get to know the city on foot, but don't worry, all the city's attractions are very close to each other.
Another option is local transportation, such as the bus that you take at one of the main stops: Avenida del Sol, Avenida Grau and Avenida de la Cultura and the one-way pass costs $0.18 USD
If you decide to take a taxi instead, you should know that they do not have a taximeter, so you should negotiate the price before getting in. Within the city, the minimum fare is $1.32 USD. For more distant places like Sacsayhuamán, prices can vary from $1.84 USD to $2.63 USD
Another effective way to get around Cusco to travel to faraway places is by combi, which costs $1.32 USD.
If you plan to visit some of the towns around Cusco or tour the city itself independently, a good option is to rent a car. You can find car rentals on our site.
To give you an estimate, car rentals in Cusco start at $34 USD per day. 1 gallon of gasoline costs approximately $4 USD.
How much does it cost to go out to eat in Cusco?
The prices for eating out in Cusco vary depending on the category of the restaurant, what you order, and the area where you are. Here are some references:
- A meal in a moderately inexpensive restaurant, you can get dishes from $2 USD
- If you decide to go to a restaurant with a la carte dishes, you can find prices from $8 USD.
- A beer costs from $2 USD.
- A cappuccino costs from S2 USD.
- A bottle of small coke costs from $0.79 USD, while a bottle of water from $0.53 USD.
How much do tourist attractions cost in Cusco and its surroundings?
The prices below are per person:
- Machu Picchu Tour with entrance fees $327 USD
- Trekking on Rainbow Mountain $27 USD
- Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour $18 USD
- Machu Picchu Tour + Huayna Picchu Mountain $404 USD
- Day trip to Humantay Lagoon $35 USD
- Free tour of Cusco (It is recommended to leave a tip of $3 USD)
How much does it cost to travel to Cusco for a week?
In summary, if we were to travel to Cusco for a week, this would be the approximate base budget per person for a couple:
Flights from $58 USD
Accommodation for 7 nights in a 3-star hotel from $144 USD per person
3 days of car rental and gasoline to travel to other destinations: $150 USD
Public transportation for 3 days: $20 USD on average
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurants for 7 days: $80 USD on average
3 tours: $380 USD on average (depends on the activity)
Total = $832 USD
Is the trip to Machu Picchu expensive?
The amount of money that the trip to Machu Picchu costs depends on the experiences that the visitor is looking for. It is true that there are hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes where you would have to shell out $800 or more for one night.
However, know that a trip to the Wonder of the World does not necessarily have to be expensive. In fact, Cusco, Peru, is known to be one of the most accessible destinations on the American continent.
The price of the trip will depend on the style of travel you want to have. There are many options to choose from. From backpacker routes to total luxury.
