Which place is cheaper, Lima or Bilbao?
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 Bilbao or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Lima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bilbao or Lima?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Bilbao Prices
Spain PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao €170Lima €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €170, while the average daily cost in Lima is €85. 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 Bilbao and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Lima €47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Lima €94
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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.
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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Lima €5.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $66
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $80
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao Cruise Port: $93
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Vitoria city: $98
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport: $98
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $112
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $178
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $178
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Vitoria Airport: $178
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $223
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town: $232
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Elciego town: $232
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€5.13
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Taxi Ride€5.13
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Short Taxi Ride€3.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- 3-Day Trip to Lima, hotels & transfers: $165
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $49
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $99
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Bilbao 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 dayBilbao €77Lima €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao through the palate Showcooking and Basque Cuisine Workshop: $59
- Bilbao Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $85
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $88
- Bilbao Authentic Food Tour with 9 Pintxos and Local Drinks: $114
- Traditional Basque Pintxos Cooking Class in Bilbao: $118
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $123
- Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake Cooking Class (in Bilbao): $147
- Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar: $176
- Bilbao Food Tour Market Pintxos and Wine: $206
- Gourmet Pintxos & Premium Wines small groups Food Tour: $212
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€4.10
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Ice cream€3.34
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Coffee€2.82
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Donut€0.90
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 with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $2.50
- Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao €29Lima €8.19
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- TOP Vitoria-Gasteiz : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.88
- Bilbao Essential : Self-guided tour created by local Official Guide: $8.23
- Guggenheim Bilbao Museum Entry Ticket: $33
- Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket: $35
- Bilbao Old Town Tour: $35
- Bilbao Highlights Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $35
- Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Admission With Audio Guide Tour: $37
- Bilbao Must See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide: $39
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $39
- Bilbao Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- Bilbao walking tour: $41
- Bilbao Exclusive Private Walking Tour: $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.18
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- TOP Lima : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
- GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima: $20
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao €21Lima €5.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Rioja & Txakoli Wine Tasting in Bilbao with a Local Sommelier: $59
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $116
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $118
- Txakoli wine tour from Bilbao: $194
- La Rioja wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from Bilbao: $279
- Architectural Rioja Wine Tour: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios (Bilbao): $294
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€6.90
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Beer€3.85
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Cocktail€3.08
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
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Lima, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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.
When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Lima?
Bilbao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bilbao or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Lima. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Bilbao usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Lima. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBilbao 20°C (68°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Lima. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Bilbao is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than Lima. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBilbao 16°C (62°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Bilbao is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Lima. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBilbao 9°C (48°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In April, Bilbao is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Lima. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBilbao 12°C (54°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.