A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Machu Picchu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amsterdam or Machu Picchu?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Machu Picchu, 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: Amsterdam or Machu Picchu?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Amsterdam?

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

  • Amsterdam Prices
    Netherlands Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Amsterdam 211
    Machu Picchu 107

The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €211, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is €107. 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 Amsterdam and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam 102
    Machu Picchu 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam 204
    Machu Picchu 78
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Machu Picchu? 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 Amsterdam


Hotels in Machu Picchu


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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam 20
    Machu Picchu 28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

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


  • Ride on Tram
    3.20
  • Renting a Bike
    15
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    10
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    2.60
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    3.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • From Private Transfer to Efteling Theme Park: $465
  • Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $337
  • Private transfer: Amsterdam to Kinderdijk, 2h stop De Haar Castle: $298
  • Schiphol Airport Taxi Transfer | Amsterdam: $296
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $296
  • Private transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, 2h Stop in Haarlem: $284
  • Private taxi transfer from Amsterdam to Giethoorn: $277
  • Private transfer: Amsterdam>Rotterdam, 2h stop at De Haar Castle: $273
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $266
  • Private Car Round-trip Transfer Amsterdam to Keukenhof Tulips: $266
  • Private transfer: Amsterdam to Rotterdam, 2h stop in The Hague: $265
  • Private transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, 2h Stop in Delft: $264

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Amsterdam 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
    Amsterdam 80
    Machu Picchu 31
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • Afternoon Tea
    6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

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

  • Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
  • Self Guided Food Tour in De Pijp District of Amsterdam: $59
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
  • 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $71
  • Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $89
  • Amsterdam Food Tour: +10 Tastes, Culture and Canals with Sherpa: $89
  • Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $91
  • Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $95
  • 10 Tastes of Food Tour by UNESCO Canals and Jordaan: $105
  • Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $105
  • Jordaan Food Tour: Special 10 Year Anniversary Edition: $108
  • Private Dutch Pancake Cooking Class in an Amsterdam Canal Home: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam 36
    Machu Picchu 69
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    6.00
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    17

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Iconic Canal Belt Cruise: $69
  • 1 Hour Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $118
  • 1, 2 or 3-7 Days Nightclubs & Best Nightlife in Amsterdam Ticket: $15
  • 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $178
  • 2 Countries in 1 Day: Cologne Day Tour from Amsterdam: $236
  • 2 Hours Amsterdam Private Walking Tour: $136
  • 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $231
  • 2 hour food tasting Tour in Amsterdam Group Tour: $107
  • 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $53
  • 420 Official Smoking Boat Tour in Amsterdam: $24
  • 4Hrs with a Local in Full Private & Personalized Tour.: $284
  • 75 minute Blue Boat Company City Canal Cruise and Maritime Museum: $47

Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu

For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Gardens of Mandor
    2.52

Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Machu Picchu.

  • Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
  • Private Tour Guide Service: $98
  • Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
  • Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam 24
    Machu Picchu 6.41

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Red Light District Bar Crawl: $24
  • Amsterdam Private Pub Crawl in the City Center: $30
  • Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam: $32
  • Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $101
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $103
  • Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140


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

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