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 Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Sightseeing 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 €104
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €165, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is €104. 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 €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Machu Picchu €76
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 €27
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:
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport or city to Rotterdam By Business car: $296
- Private transfer from Brussels to Ostend, 2h Sightseeing Stop: $265
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $246
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Circuit SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium Luxury car : $239
- Direct private transfer from Brussels to Bruges, 2h Stop in Ghent: $216
- Transfer from Antwerp <-> Amsterdam Shuttle (1 to 8 Places): $192
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Bruges with Business car: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Ghent by Luxury car: $179
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Tomorrowland Dreamville by luxury car: $167
- Brussels <-> transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $142
- Brussels Airport (CRL) Private Transfer to Brussels City/Hotels: $139
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport To Brussels: $132
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 €30
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.
- Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $99
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $119
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $133
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Machu Picchu €66
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $82
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Fall and Rise of Art Nouveau: $18
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $271
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $9.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $162
- Afternoon Tipsy Tour with Cocktails & Chocolates in Brussels: $46
- Architecture Tour of Brussels: $30
- Art Nouveau's Sublime Capital: An Audio Tour in Brussels: $12
- Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local: $78
- Best Intro tour of Brussels with a Local: $167
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€2.44
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 €6.20
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:
- Discovery of the La Senne Brewery: $31
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Brewery-Distillery: $79
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.