Is Cusco expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Cusco itself is cheap to moderate: local food, buses and guesthouses cost far less than in Europe or North America. A budget day is about S/ 210 per person and a mid-range day about S/ 600. What makes a Cusco trip expensive is Machu Picchu: tickets, trains and buses add roughly US$200–350 per person.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | S/60 | S/200 | S/800 |
| Food & drink | S/50 | S/120 | S/300 |
| Sights & tickets | S/80 | S/200 | S/450 |
| Local transport | S/20 | S/80 | S/250 |
| Per person, per day | S/210 | S/600 | S/1,800 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cusco day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Menú del día in a local restaurant | about S/ 12–20 |
| Coca tea or coffee in a café | about S/ 5–10 |
| Chicharrón plate on Pampa del Castillo | roughly S/ 25–45 |
| Whole roast cuy | roughly S/ 60–100 |
| Train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes | roughly US$70–150 each way |
| Consettur bus up to Machu Picchu | about US$24 each way |
| Boleto turístico (full tourist ticket) | about S/ 130 |
| Mid-range hotel double | roughly S/ 250–450 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Machu Picchu dominates the budget: the entry ticket, the PeruRail or Inca Rail train and the Consettur bus each cost tens of dollars, and the Inca Trail is a multi-day organised trek costing several hundred dollars more. In Cusco, the boleto turístico covers most Inca sites in and around the city, including Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray. Hotels near the Plaza de Armas and in San Blas cost more than in quieter streets, and restaurants on the main square charge two or three times market prices. Day-to-day costs are low: markets, menús and colectivos are cheap.
When it is cheaper
The rainy season, December to March, has the lowest hotel prices, often 20–30% below the June–August peak, but February is very wet and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance that month. April and October–November are a good compromise.
How to spend less
- Eat the menú del día at local restaurants, a soup, main and drink for about S/ 12–20.
- Buy the boleto turístico if you plan to see three or more sites; partial tickets cover fewer sites for less.
- Book Machu Picchu tickets on the official government site to avoid agent markups.
- Take the cheapest train class (Expedition or Voyager) rather than the luxury services.
- Use colectivos to the Sacred Valley instead of private transfers.
- Eat at the San Pedro Market for fresh juices and set lunches.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Cusco expensive?
Daily life is cheap, about S/ 210 a day on a budget. The expensive part is Machu Picchu: tickets, trains and buses add roughly US$200–350 per person.
How much does the Machu Picchu trip cost?
Roughly US$200–350 per person for the entry ticket, return train from Ollantaytambo and the bus up, before a guide and a night in Aguas Calientes.
Is the boleto turístico worth it?
Yes if you plan to visit several sites: it covers Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and museums. Partial tickets are cheaper but cover fewer sites.