Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Auckland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Auckland or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Machu Picchu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Machu Picchu?
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
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 Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Auckland Prices
New Zealand PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $172Machu Picchu $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $172, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $127. 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 Auckland and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $100Machu Picchu $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $200Machu Picchu $92
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Auckland 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.
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: Auckland Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $18Machu Picchu $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.57
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Hobbiton Private Transfers with Group Tour: $516
- Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Raglan Beach: $282
- Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Matakana: $270
- Premium Transfer From Auckland Airport To Omaha And Snells Beach: $240
- Auckland Airport to Whangaparaoa - Gulf Harbour Luxury Transfers: $228
- Private Luxury Auckland Airport Transfer for 11 Guests: $225
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $218
- Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Morrinsville: $204
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ship To Auckland Airport: $180
- Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Thames: $180
- Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Hamilton: $180
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Auckland 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
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Food Meals for one dayAuckland $46Machu Picchu $36
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
- Auckland Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $117
- Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes: $129
- Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland: $141
- Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
- Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
- From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $28Machu Picchu $81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "City of Sails" highlights - private tour with German tour guide: $220
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $72
- 2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $96
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,447
- AKL: TAUPO - Huka Falls River Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $288
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $120
- Amazing Auckland City Half Day Guided Tour: $107
- America's Cup Sailing Experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour: $126
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $122
- Auckland Airport To Ports Of Auckland Private Highlights Tour: $240
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $13Machu Picchu $7.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Auckland Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $15
- Auckland City Volcano Views and Wine Tasting: $105
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $111
- Muriwai GANNET Colony & Wine Tasting - Half Day Tour Ex Auckland: $150
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $177
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
- Kumeu Wine Tasting & Local Flavours Tour: Vines, Brews & Views: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Machu Picchu, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.