Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Madrid?
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 Madrid or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madrid and Arequipa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Madrid or Arequipa?
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Madrid Prices
Spain PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid €162Arequipa €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €162, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is €51. 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 Madrid and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid €78Arequipa €21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid €156Arequipa €42
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Madrid or Arequipa? 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: Madrid Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid €18Arequipa €5.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $180
- Private One-Way Transfer to OR from Madrid Airport with private pick up: $69
- Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
- Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $82
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $61
- Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $90
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $84
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Van: $91
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid MAD Airport to Madrid by Luxury Car: $93
- Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $79
- Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Business Car: $90
- Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€1.22
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Bus Ride€0.39
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Taxi Ride€0.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
- 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
- Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $172
- Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
- Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Madrid 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 dayMadrid €59Arequipa €21
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $60
- Local Flamenco Show with dinner at El Cortijo: $60
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $66
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
- Madrid's Authentic Culture & Food Tour by Food Lover Tour: $78
- 10 Tapas Cooking Class Experience in Madrid with Sangria: $82
- Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
- Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
- Flamenco Show at Tablao La Carmela with Tapas Dinner: $106
- Madrid Small Group Tapas Tour at 4 Venues -Lunch or Dinner: $108
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke€0.37
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Lunch€2.56
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Ice Cream€0.98
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Fruit€0.73
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Ice Cream€0.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid €33Arequipa €16
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.18
- Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $1.80
- Madrid Monumental Tour Retreat, Prado and Cibeles: $2.39
- Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.87
- Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.59
- Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.59
- Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.61
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.61
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.85
- Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center: $4.80
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry€2.44
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Salsa Class€2.44
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Movie Ticket€2.66
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Hot Springs€2.44
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colca Full Day Tour: $51
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $110
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $90
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 2-Day tour Colca Canyon ending in Puno: $95
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid €19Arequipa €14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
- Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $58
- Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $83
- Toledo Full Day with Winery Visit, Tapas & Wine Tasting : $83
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food & Wine Tour : $95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer€2.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Arequipa, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid is in Europe and Arequipa 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madrid Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Arequipa?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Madrid and Arequipa, 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.
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.