Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Brussels?
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 Brussels or Machu Picchu?
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 Brussels and Machu Picchu. 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: Brussels or Machu Picchu?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Brussels Prices
Belgium PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels €165Machu Picchu €107
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €165, 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 Brussels and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Machu Picchu €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Machu Picchu €78
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Machu Picchu €28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Brussels & Atomium: Private Tour with Transfer and Tasting: $813
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport or city to Rotterdam By Business car: $295
- Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL): $291
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $268
- Private transfer from Brussels to Ostend, 2h Sightseeing Stop: $260
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Circuit SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium Luxury car: $236
- Direct private transfer from Brussels to Bruges, 2h Stop in Ghent: $213
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels to Maastricht by Business car: $212
- Private transfer on arrival from Brussels Airport to Ghent by luxury car: $207
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $192
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $189
- Private direct transfer from Brussels to Ostend: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €66Machu Picchu €31
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $46
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $74
- Brussels Food Tour: Main Dish, Beer, Waffle & Chocolate: $93
- Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $99
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $101
- Walking Food Tour with Chocolate, Beer, & Waffles: $111
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $128
- Food Tour of 10 Tastings - Waffles, Beers & More: $147
- Brussels Private Food Tour: Waffles, Fries, Beer & Local History: $153
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $183
- Brussels Food Tour: Private & Personalized with a Local Guide: $240
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Machu Picchu €69
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "From Waterloo Battlefield History Private Tour: $500
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Fall and Rise of Art Nouveau: $18
- 3-Hours Private Sightseeing Trip in Brussels: $243
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $7.99
- Art Nouveau's Sublime Capital: An Audio Tour in Brussels: $12
- Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local: $77
- Atomium Brussels Flexible Entry Ticket - One Entry within 3 Days: $27
- Audio Guided Walking Tour of Brussels: $5.92
- Axe Throwing Experience: $20
- Battle of the Bulge & Gen Patton Private Tour from Brussels: $1,454
- Belgian Beer World Experience: Beer Tasting + Rooftop Beer: $25
- Belgium: Discover the best of Brussels on our guided tour: $29
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€2.52
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels €13Machu Picchu €6.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Mario Kart Championship at Micro Brewery & Distillery: $5.33
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $22
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $23
- micro brewery & distillery tour + beer tasting: $25
- micro brewery & distillery tour + beer tasting: $29
- Beer Tasting Workshop at a Brussels Microbrewery: $43
- Immersive Brewery Tour for 2 with Beer Flight - Brussels Area: $44
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Micro Brewery-Distillery: $48
- Spirit tasting workshop at a Brussels distillery: $57
- Sip the Unexpected at a Hidden Leuven Brewery: $59
- Gin Cocktail Workshop at a Brussels Brewery & Distillery: $67
- Beer Pong Session at a Micro Brewery & Distillery: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Machu Picchu, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels 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.