Which place is cheaper, Torres del Paine National Park or Machu Picchu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Machu Picchu or Torres del Paine National Park?
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 Machu Picchu and Torres del Paine National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Machu Picchu or Torres del Paine National Park?
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.
Torres del Paine National Park
The Torres del Paine National Park is located in the extreme south of Patagonian Chile. Situated in the southern part of the Andes, the National Park is full of stunning mountains, lakes, rock formations, and glaciers, making it a hiker's paradise. The best time to visit is between November and April, which is their spring and summer. Be prepared though, as weather can change dramatically when traveling through the park, no matter the season!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Peru, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMachu Picchu $101Torres del Paine National Park $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Machu Picchu is $101, while the average daily cost in Torres del Paine National Park is $79. 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 Machu Picchu and Torres del Paine National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMachu Picchu $42Torres del Paine National Park $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMachu Picchu $84Torres del Paine National Park $62
Compare Hotels in Machu Picchu and Torres del Paine National Park
Looking for a hotel in Machu Picchu or Torres del Paine National Park? 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: Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Machu Picchu $30Torres del Paine National Park $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Machu Picchu or Torres del Paine National Park?
Prices for flights to both Torres del Paine National Park and Machu Picchu 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 dayMachu Picchu $19Torres del Paine National Park $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Machu Picchu $74Torres del Paine National Park $31
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$2.71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMachu Picchu $6.90Torres del Paine National Park $5.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Machu Picchu and Torres del Paine National Park, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Torres del Paine National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Torres del Paine National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torres del Paine National Park 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu than you might in Torres del Paine National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Machu Picchu Expensive? and Is Torres del Paine National Park 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.