Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Easter Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Easter Island vs. Machu Picchu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Easter Island or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Easter Island and Machu Picchu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Easter Island or Machu Picchu?
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEaster Island $88Machu Picchu $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Easter Island is $88, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $97. 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 Easter Island and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEaster Island $48Machu Picchu $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEaster Island $96Machu Picchu $80
Compare Hotels in Easter Island and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Easter Island 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: Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Easter Island $2.83Machu Picchu $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Easter Island
Also for Easter Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easter Island Airport Shuttle Transfer : $43
- Private Arrival Transfer: Mataveri Airport to Easter Island Hotels: $40
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Mataveri Airport to Easter Island Hotels: $30
- Shared Departure Transfer: Easter Island Hotels to Mataveri Airport: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Easter Island or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Easter Island 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 dayEaster Island $27Machu Picchu $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Easter Island $44Machu Picchu $71
Typical Entertainment prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$9.17
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Tours on Easter Island.: $349
- Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $135
- (Tour in French) DISCOVER EASTERN ISLAND AND ITS ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS: $316
- (Tour in French) LE MOAI, RAPA NUI ISLAND: $61
- (Tour in French) MYTHS, MYSTERIES AND MOAI. IMPORTANT SITES: $161
- 1 Night Only at 2 Half Days Tours: $624
- 2-Day Private Tour Easter Island Highlights Complete Discovery: $560
- 3 Hours Terevaka Horseback Private Guided Riding Tour: $180
- 3-Day Tour of Rapa Nui: $180
- 4-Day Adventure Tour in Easter Island: $1,920
- 4-Day Tour Best of Easter Island : $1,015
- 6-Day Private Easter Island Archaeology and Hiking Adventure: $1,450
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$2.60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEaster Island $5.84Machu Picchu $6.60
When comparing the travel costs between Easter Island and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Related Articles for Easter Island
Related Articles for Machu Picchu
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.
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