A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Lima?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Lima, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Lima?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Lima

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Addis Ababa?

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 Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Addis Ababa and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $16
    Lima $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $32
    Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Lima? 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 Addis Ababa


Hotels in Lima


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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.82
    Lima $6.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
  • Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $152

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $259
  • Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $217
  • Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $198
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $198
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $198
  • Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa: $175
  • Lima Airport Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfer: $163
  • Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
  • Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
  • Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
  • Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Addis Ababa 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
    Addis Ababa $11
    Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
  • Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
  • Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $70
  • Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
  • Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
  • Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
  • Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.71
  • Ice cream
    $3.82
  • Coffee
    $3.24
  • Donut
    $1.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

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

  • Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $15
  • Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $45
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
  • Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
  • Lima Market Food Tour: $65
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.91
    Lima $9.39

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
  • 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
  • Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $38
  • Sightseeing Walking Tour: $40
  • Open-bus Tour and Cycling: $41
  • Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.: $42
  • 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
  • Merkato Addis Ababa Guided Tour: $42
  • Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $43
  • Addis Ababa DayTours with Hotel/Airport pick up and drop off: $45
  • Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
  • Best of Addis Privet Guided city Tour: $46

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    $18
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.50

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
  • 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
  • 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
  • 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
  • 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
  • 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
  • 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.40
    Lima $6.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.91
  • Beer
    $4.41
  • Cocktail
    $3.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
  • Local Wine Tour: $77
  • From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Lima 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 Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Addis Ababa.

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


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Lima, 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.