Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima or Philadelphia?
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 Lima and Philadelphia. 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: Lima or Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $76Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $76, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Lima and Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Lima and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Philadelphia? 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.67Philadelphia $28
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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and Lima 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 dayLima $17Philadelphia $49
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
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.57Philadelphia $28
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:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 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
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- Road to Revolution GPS Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $8.99
- Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
- Philadelphia In App Walking Audio Tour: $9.00
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Fantastic Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.57Philadelphia $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima is in South America and Philadelphia is in North 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Philadelphia?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Philadelphia, 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 Lima or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia 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 Lima or Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Lima during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Lima is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lima in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Lima often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lima usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Lima or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Philadelphia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lima is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 19°C (66°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lima usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Lima or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lima as well as Philadelphia. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
It's quite cold in Philadelphia in the winter. Lima is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
In the winter, Lima often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Lima or Philadelphia in the Spring?
Both Philadelphia and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lima is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lima in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lima usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Lima
| Lima | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
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.