A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Lima?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Lima?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Lima is €85. 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 Lisbon and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 63
    Lima 47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 126
    Lima 94
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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.

Hotels in Lisbon


Hotels in Lima


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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 25
    Lima 5.44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • LIS Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $12
  • Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport, Train Station or Port: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Lisbon Airport or Cruise: $16
  • Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $16
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $17
  • Lisbon Hotel to Airport Premium transfer: $20
  • Transfer from Lisbon City Center to Lisbon Airport (LIS): $21
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $21
  • VIP transfer from the airport to Lisbon hotels: $23
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon City Hotels: $23
  • Private Transfers, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Setubal: $23
  • Private Transfer from Lisbon hotels to Lisbon Cruise Port: $24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    5.15
  • Taxi Ride
    5.15
  • Short Taxi Ride
    3.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
  • Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima: $60
  • Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel or Hotel-Airport!!: $15
  • Transfer from the Airport to hotels in Lima: $30
  • Tour Night Magic Water Park and Ravine with Transfer: $49
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer Lima Airport (LIM): $33
  • QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
  • Private Transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $30
  • Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $213
  • Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $195
  • Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Lisbon 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lisbon 73
    Lima 29
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lisbon Sunset Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Night Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $35
  • Lisbon Sunset Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $37
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $40
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $64
  • Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $64
  • Lisbon Portuguese Food Tour: $65
  • Lisbon Food Tour with Portuguese Wine: Taste the Best of Portugal: $68
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $70

Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    4.12
  • Ice cream
    3.35
  • Coffee
    2.83
  • Donut
    0.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.

  • Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
  • Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Lima Market Food Tour: $65
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
  • Water Magic Circuit, Downtown and Street Food Tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Lima 8.22

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $0.68
  • Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $0.68
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.19
  • Age of Discoveries Walking Tour in Belém: $3.47
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.47
  • Self-Guided Tours in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.47
  • Historical Walking Tour of Lisbon: $3.48
  • Lisbon Alfama Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.48
  • Lisbon Belém Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.63
  • Lisbon Walking Tour & Local Market Experience: $5.74
  • Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.80
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.90

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    15
  • Movie Tickets
    2.19

Tours and Activities in Lima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:

  • 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: $134
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $134
  • 2-Day Tour in Paracas and Visit Huacachina: $140
  • 2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina: $230
  • 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
  • 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
  • A Half Day Lima City Tour: $45
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Lima 5.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
  • Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting Experience in Lisbon: $44
  • Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $52
  • Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $52
  • Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $77
  • Lisbon Food and Wine Tasting Tour of HIDDEN GEMS (Small Groups): $84

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    6.93
  • Beer
    3.86
  • Cocktail
    3.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Local Wine Tour: $77
  • From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Lima, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Lima?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Lima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

In the summer, Lisbon is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Lima. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Lima. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lima in the Autumn?

Both Lima and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Lima. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lima in the Winter?

Both Lima and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

Lisbon is much colder than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Lima. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Lima. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Lisbon is cooler than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lima during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Lima. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Lisbon

Lisbon Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)