Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Machu Picchu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Helsinki or Machu Picchu?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Machu Picchu €109
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is €109. 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 Helsinki and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Machu Picchu €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Machu Picchu €80
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Machu Picchu €28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Chauffeur & Transfer Service Helsinki: $268
- The Executive Helsinki Transfer*****: $263
- Nordic Luxe: Private VIP Transfer Helsinki AIRPORT: $263
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $233
- Helsinki Private Arrival Airport Transfer: $229
- VIP Transfer by Mercedes V-class with Professional Driver: $198
- Private Luxury Transfer in Helsinki: $190
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Kotka Port: $165
- Private Airport Transfer by VIP car in Helsinki region: $156
- Private Transfer from Airport in Helsinki and Vice versa: $146
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €59Machu Picchu €32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $120
- From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $169
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $174
- Authentic Lake Sauna, Swim and Dinner with Locals near Helsinki: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Machu Picchu €70
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $105
- 4 Hour Helsinki Tour from Cruise Port: $93
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $23
- A Private Walking Tour Through Helsinki: $292
- A Self-Guided Tour of Helsinki's Oodi Central Library: $9.99
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
- A Walking Tour Through WWI Land Fortifications: $292
- All Inclusive Luxury Day Cruise Helsinki to Tallinn Self Guided: $257
- Baltic Bites - Food & Island Experience in Helsinki: $116
- Best of Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours): $54
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $174
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
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€2.58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Machu Picchu €6.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Machu Picchu, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.