Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Kingston?
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 Kingston or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Machu Picchu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Machu Picchu?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Machu Picchu $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $126. 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 Kingston and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Machu Picchu $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Machu Picchu $92
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Machu Picchu $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $263
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $263
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $260
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast: $240
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande: $200
- Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $197
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Kingston 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 dayKingston $45Machu Picchu $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Machu Picchu $81
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
- Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley House and Dunns River Falls Private Tour: $150
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
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$2.96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Machu Picchu $7.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144
When comparing the travel costs between Kingston 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. Even though Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Machu Picchu is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston 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.