Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Dubrovnik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dubrovnik or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Machu Picchu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or Machu Picchu?
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
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 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Dubrovnik Prices
Croatia PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubrovnik €158Machu Picchu €107
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is €158, 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 Dubrovnik and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubrovnik €65Machu Picchu €39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubrovnik €130Machu Picchu €78
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubrovnik €22Machu Picchu €28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
-
Bus Around Town€1.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zagreb to VIP Transfer with Your Choice of Tours: $846
- Split: TO Dubrovnik Private Transfer with Stop in Ston: $467
- Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $460
- Private Transfer from Mostar to Dubrovnik: $362
- Private transfer from Kotor to Dubrovnik city: $303
- Private transfer from Tivat to Dubrovnik city: $303
- From Split: Private Transfer to Dubrovnik with Sightseeing: $298
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Trogir with 2h of Sightseeing, local driver: $294
- Private Transfer from Split to Dubrovnik: $292
- Transfer Dubrovnik to Split with Sightseeing in Ston Town: $291
- Airport Transfer Dubrovnik to Herceg Novi / Portonovi: $284
- Dubrovnik to Medjugorje private transfer: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Dubrovnik 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 dayDubrovnik €75Machu Picchu €31
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
-
Seafood Dinner (for 2)€29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dubrovnik & Dinner At St Jacob Beach: $100
- Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $128
- Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m Above Ground: $137
- Old Town Dubrovnik Food Tour of 10+ Authentic Croatian Tastings: $140
- Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $159
- Dubrovnik Sunset Cruise with dinner on board: $161
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $166
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $203
- Tastes of Croatia: Private AUTHENTIC 5-Course DINNER Included: $257
- Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $282
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubrovnik €15Machu Picchu €69
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)€13
-
Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)€53
-
Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)€45
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $84
- 'Pomalo' Guided Sea Kayaking Tour in Cavtat: $47
- 'Pomalo' Sunset Guided Kayak Tour in Cavtat: $47
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Dubrovnik: $113
- 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour: $162
- 2 hrs Guided Tour to CAVTAT a Small Place for Great Art: $59
- 2-Hour Dubrovnik Fun and Exciting Jet Ski Safari Adventure Tour: $164
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Mlini: $59
- 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $130
- 4 Hours Caves, Snorkeling and Swimming Tour in Dubrovnik: $92
- ATV Dubrovnik Safari Tour: Mt Srd & Traditional Villages: $123
- Adults Only Sunset Cruise in Dubrovnik on a 16th-Century Karaka: $60
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€2.52
Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
- Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196
- Private Tour Guide Service: $98
- Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubrovnik €16Machu Picchu €6.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $41
- Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $45
- Private Scenic Sunset Tour & Premium Wine Tasting Above Dubrovnik: $52
- Wine Tasting in Konavle, Near Dubrovnik & Cavtat – Join Us!: $53
- Brewery Tour with Food included: $65
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $81
- Luxury Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $85
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $92
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik -Train Ride &Wine Tasting: $94
- Half-Day Tour from Dubrovnik to Konavle with Wine Tasting: $107
- Full Day Korcula and Peljesac Wine Tasting Tour in Dubrovnik: $116
- Peljesac Peninsula Day Trip from Wine Tasting and Ston Village Tour: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubrovnik and Machu Picchu, we can see that Dubrovnik is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik 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.