Which place is cheaper, Lima or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Lima? 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: Karachi or Lima?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Karachi and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Lima? 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Lima $5.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $13
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport to Hotel by Aludy Travel: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Lima $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Lima $5.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Lima 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Lima?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Lima. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Lima, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Karachi or Lima?
Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Karachi or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Karachi is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karachi usually receives more rain than Lima. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Karachi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the autumn, Karachi is much warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Lima. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Karachi is generally cooler than Lima. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karachi usually receives more rain than Lima. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Karachi is a little warmer than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Lima. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Karachi
| Karachi | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.