Cusco is the historic heart of the Inca Empire, a breathtaking Andean city perched at 3,400 meters above sea level in southeastern Peru. The city blends ancient Inca stonework with Spanish colonial architecture, creating a unique urban landscape that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. As the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is one of South America's most visited and culturally rich destinations.
Local currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Cusco.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $10-15/night (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $25-45/night (basic private room)
- Midrange
- $60-120/night (boutique guesthouse)
- Luxury
- $200-600+/night (5-star colonial hotel)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (empanada, juice, chicharrón sandwich)
- Local
- $3-8 (market almuerzo set lunch)
- Midrange
- $12-25 (sit-down restaurant)
- Fine
- $40-80+ (fine dining, tasting menus)
Transport
- Bus
- $1-3 (local city bus)
- Taxi
- $2-5 (short city trip)
- Airport
- $8-12 (taxi to/from Velasco Astete airport)
- Daytrip
- $5-20 (colectivo to Sacred Valley towns)
Activities
- Museum
- $8-15 (individual entry)
- Sites
- $45 (Boleto Turístico full ticket, 16 sites)
- Tour
- $30-80 (guided day tour)
- Excursion
- $50-120 (Machu Picchu day trip including train)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Cusco costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$245 for 7 days (excluding Machu Picchu ticket)
Midrange traveller
$700 for 7 days (including Machu Picchu)
Luxury traveller
$2100+ for 7 days (including private tours and luxury hotels)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Boleto Turístico ($45) which covers 16+ archaeological sites - far cheaper than individual entry fees
Eat almuerzo (set lunch) at markets and local restaurants: $3-5 for 3 courses including juice
Use colectivos (shared minibuses) to reach Sacred Valley towns for $1-3 instead of private taxis ($30-60)
Book Machu Picchu tickets directly at machupicchu.gob.pe to avoid agency markups
Stay in Miraflores-style neighborhoods 10-15 minutes from the plaza for 30-40% lower hotel prices
Travel in shoulder season (April-May, September-October) for lower hotel rates and fewer crowds
Bring high-altitude medication from your home country - it's much cheaper than at Cusco pharmacies
Cook simple meals using market ingredients if your accommodation has a kitchen
Take the public bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo for $3 instead of private transfer ($25-40)
Free tip-based walking tours cover the main historic sites and are excellent quality
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Plaza de Armas
Stroll the grand main square, people-watch, and admire the Cathedral facade from outside
San Blas Neighborhood
Explore cobblestone streets, artisan alleyways, and panoramic viewpoints at no cost
Sacsayhuaman exterior views
Views of the fortress from the road below are free; entry fee to go inside
Inca Street Walking
Walk the Hatunrumiyoc street with the famous 12-angled stone and original Inca walls throughout the city
Cusco Free Walking Tours
Tip-based walking tours depart Plaza de Armas daily at 10 AM and 2 PM
San Pedro Market browsing
Enter and explore the traditional market - eating costs extra but entry is free
Church facade admiring
La Compañía de Jesús and the Cathedral facade are impressive from the plaza
Cusco street photography
The streets themselves are living galleries of Inca stonework and colonial architecture
Sunset from San Blas hilltop
Climb to Mirador de San Blas for free panoramic city views at golden hour
Mercado Vinocanchón exploring
Authentic local market where Cusqueños shop, free to browse and absorb local life