A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gothenburg vs. Machu Picchu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gothenburg or Machu Picchu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg or Machu Picchu?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

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 in Sweden, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gothenburg Prices
    Sweden Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gothenburg $145
    Machu Picchu $122

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $122. 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 Gothenburg and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Machu Picchu $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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.

Hotels in Gothenburg


Hotels in Machu Picchu


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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Machu Picchu $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
  • Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Gothenburg 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 day
    Gothenburg $76
    Machu Picchu $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Machu Picchu $78

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
  • City Kayak Tour: $53
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
  • Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
  • Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
  • Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123

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
    $2.87

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 day
    Gothenburg $24
    Machu Picchu $7.28

Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:

  • Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Machu Picchu, we can see that Gothenburg is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.