Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Easter Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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 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 Sightseeing Tours in Chile, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Easter Island is $78, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $102. 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.
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.
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.
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Easter Island and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Easter Island Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.