Which place is cheaper, Lima or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Lima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Lima?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Lima $6.06
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani : $33
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- Private Transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $29
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Lima $9.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Self Guided Tropical Adventure at Kuala Lumpur Hidden Treasures: $3.59
- Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Unlimited Rides: $5.39
- Urban Museum at Toffee Raja Chulan Admission Ticket: $6.35
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.39
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- REXPERIENCE: Immersive Art Gallery at REXKL: $9.77
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Guided City Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $10
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
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)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
- Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
- Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
- Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
- #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
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$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When comparing the travel costs between Kuala Lumpur and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Lima 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Lima. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Lima. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Lima during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.