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

Should you visit Bogota or Machu Picchu?

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

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

Bogota

Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Bogota?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $52, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $102. 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 Bogota and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $26
    Machu Picchu $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $52
    Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Bogota 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 Bogota


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: Bogota Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.61
    Machu Picchu $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.42
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
  • Bogotá to or from Villavieja or Tatacoa Desert Private Transfer: $167
  • Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City in a Luxury Van: $134
  • Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Luxury Van: $134
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minibus: $124
  • Departure Private Transfer from Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Minibus: $124
  • Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
  • Private Bogota Airport transfer to your Hotel: $59
  • Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Bogota Airport (BOG)-Bogota City: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Bogota 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
    Bogota $13
    Machu Picchu $19
Typical Food Prices in Bogota

For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $1.54
  • Hot Dog
    $0.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota

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

  • Bogota Local Food Tour in the City Center: $13
  • Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
  • Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $49
  • PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
  • Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
  • Carimañola Cooking Class in Bogota: $60
  • Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
  • Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $132

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $13
    Machu Picchu $74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Beer
    $1.29

Tours and Activities in Bogota

For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch: $80
  • La Candelaria and Monserrate Walking Half Day Tour: $234
  • Zipaquira Salt Cathedral group tour Daily Departures: $80
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $154
  • 2 Day Tour in Barichara: $220
  • 3 Day Desert of the Tatacoa, an unforgettable experience closer to the stars: $299
  • 3-4 Hours Tour in flight connection: $180
  • 4 Hours Private Tour to Monserrate from Bogotá: $69
  • 4-Hours E-Bike Tour in Bogotá City, Colombia: $48
  • 6 hour Private City Tour through Bogotá (Con Monserrate): $134
  • 6-hour private city tour of Bogotá: $116
  • Andres Carne de Res - Private Tour 4 to 8 Tourists: $279

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
    $2.72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $14
    Machu Picchu $6.92

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $26
  • Saturday Bar Crawl in La Candelaria, Bogotá: $32
  • Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $40
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103


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

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