Which place is cheaper, Lima or Chengdu?
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 Chengdu 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 Chengdu 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: Chengdu or Lima?
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Chengdu Prices
China PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $72Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $72, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Chengdu and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $23Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $46Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu 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: Chengdu Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.42Lima $6.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
- Chengdu Panda Base Ticket With Private Transfer & Guide opt: $17
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu City - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Short Taxi Ride$4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Transfer to Hotel Deluxe Car English Driver: $50
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $56
- Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Lima airport transfers: $27
- Lima to Huacachina Private Transfer with 2 Stops: $252
- LIM Airport Private Transfer to/from Lima Center/Barranco: $13
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Airport Transfer Service – Arrival or Departure: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Chengdu 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 dayChengdu $41Lima $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $45
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.63
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Ice cream$3.76
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Coffee$3.18
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Donut$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $55
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $69
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $72
- Authentic 4-dish Peruvian Food Cooking Class in Lima + Pisco Sour: $75
- Peru Culinary Identity: 10+ Tastes with Sherpa Food Tours: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Lima $9.23
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Free Walking Tour in Chengdu, Experience the city like a Local: $9.90
- Chengdu Museum Tours & Tickets: $10
- Chengdu Panda Base Ticket/Experiences from Chunxi Road: $12
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
- Chengdu Panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour Upgrade: $16
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
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)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.46
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $25
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $29
- Lima Bike Tour Miraflores Pyramid & Bohemian Barranco: $34
- Lima City Tour with Catacombs and Pickup: $35
- Barranco Bike Tour: From Pyramids to Bohemian Streets: $35
- City Tour Panoramic Bus Departure From Larcomar: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.25Lima $6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $23
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$7.78
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Beer$4.34
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Cocktail$3.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chengdu is in Asia 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 Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chengdu Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu 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.
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.