Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Cusco?
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 Cusco or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cusco 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: Cusco or Machu Picchu?
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Cusco Prices
Peru PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCusco $61Machu Picchu $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Cusco is $61, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $115. 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 Cusco and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCusco $23Machu Picchu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCusco $46Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Cusco and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Cusco 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: Cusco Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cusco $10Machu Picchu $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $335
- From 2-Day Guided Trip to Machu Picchu with Transfers: $329
- Cusco : Transfer to Puno: $245
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $209
- Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cuzco - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $105
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo Cusco Peru: $90
- Arrival Transfer & Cusco City Tour (Private Service): $80
- Private City Tour and Saksaywaman Visit with Transfer: $80
- Temple of the Moon Horseback Riding Tour with Transfer: $75
- Temple of the Moon Horseback Riding Tour with Transfer: $75
- Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Cusco or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Cusco 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 dayCusco $23Machu Picchu $33
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.17
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Mango$0.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
- Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $28
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $37
- Cusco street food tour: $39
- Cusco Cooking Class - Bilingual 12:00 -1:30 pm: $40
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner : $49
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Fully hands-on High End Peruvian Cooking Class & San Pedro Market Guided Visit: $55
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $55
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $55
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cusco $29Machu Picchu $74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.71
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 2 Day Pisac Ollantaytambo Salt flats Moray Sacred Valley Tour: $297
- Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
- Cusco city wolking tour : $35
- Full Day Tour of Laguna Humantay: $45
- Half- Day City Tour Cusco : $150
- Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $111
- Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $63
- Moray saltmines ATV (Cuatrimotos) Tour: $70
- Mountain View Picnic & Salt Mines Tour with Private Service: $190
- Official Machupicchu Ticket: $99
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $77
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $110
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$2.71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCusco $9.56Machu Picchu $6.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $19
- Pisco and wine tour in the Majes Valley: $50
- Pub Crawl with 3 Bars and Nightclub Entry: $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cusco and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Cusco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cusco 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.