Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or London?
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 London or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Machu Picchu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: London or Machu Picchu?
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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London Prices
UK PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLondon £217Machu Picchu £90
The average daily cost (per person) in London is £217, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is £90. 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 London and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLondon £125Machu Picchu £33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLondon £250Machu Picchu £66
Compare Hotels in London and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in London 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: London Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.London £26Machu Picchu £23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride£15
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Heathrow Express£18
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Luggage Storage£8.00
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London Map£1.29
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Oyster Card£36
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)£22
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Oyster Card£27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Port Transfer with Stonehenge stop-over included: $815
- Southampton: LHR to Southampton Executive SUV Transfer: $701
- Private Transfer London Heathrow Airport to Southampton Port: $620
- Private Transfer From Southampton Cruise Terminal to London: $606
- Private Transfer Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal: $606
- Airport - hotel - airport transfers for Heathrow groups.: $532
- Cambridge: LHR to Cambridge Executive SUV Transfer: $525
- Transfer to/ from Dover Cruise port to Central London: $507
- Transfer to/from London Gatwick Airport to Dover Cruise Port: $489
- London Hotels and Airports: Private Transfer to Southampton: $472
- Heathrow to Southampton Private Cruise Transfer Luxury MPV: $472
- Southampton To London Heathrow Airport Transfers: $472
Is it cheaper to fly into London or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and London 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 dayLondon £59Machu Picchu £26
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks£13
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Tea£6.00
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason£39
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Morning Tea£6.35
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Pastry£5.00
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Sushi Dinner for One£18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ultimate London Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
- Tasting History: A Choose Your Own Menu Food Tour: $49
- Pizza and Beer Bus Experience: $67
- London Soho & Covent Garden Food Tour by Do Eat Better : $79
- International Stand Up Show & Monmouth K. Dinner in Covent Garden: $89
- Borough Market Christmas Food Tour with Tea and Doughnuts: $96
- Private South Indian Home Cooking Experience in Orpington: $105
- Devour Borough Market & Leadenhall Food Tour with Wine: $115
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $117
- Hungry for Soho: London's Finest Food Tour: $122
- Eating London East End Food Tour: $122
- London Cheese Chocolate and Christmas Lights Food Tour: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.London £33Machu Picchu £58
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert£83
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London Symphony Orchestra£34
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London Pass£47
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Comedy Show£8.00
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- Experience Fitzrovia Comedy Club in London: $6.85
- Greenwich, Real-world Adventure Game: $21
- London King's Cross Walking Tour: Homelessness Revisited: $30
- Londons Treasures Guided Tour of the British Museum: $103
- Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket: $40
- Rock 'n' Roll Soho - a Walking Tour: $29
- Silent Disco Walking Tours West End Boogie Shoes: $40
- 'Cutty Sark' Entrance Ticket: $32
- 10 Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $48
- 2 Hour Big Ben to Borough Market Walking Tour: $41
- 2 Hour Private Rock & Roll Tour London: $295
- 2 Hours History Walking Tour of The Secret Streets in Chelsea : $89
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£2.13
Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
- Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196
- Private Tour Guide Service: $98
- Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLondon £15Machu Picchu £5.40
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $16
- London Pub Tour: $27
- London Pub Crawl: $29
- Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery Tour and Cocktail: $30
- Camden Pub Crawl in London: $34
- The Great East London Pub Crawl!: $34
- Small Group Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour in London: $34
- Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $41
- Small Group Historical Pub Tour, Beer Included: $60
- East End Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- Brixton Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- Devour London Historical Pub Tour:Traditional British Food & Ales: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Machu Picchu, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since London is in Europe and Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Machu Picchu 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Machu Picchu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is London 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.