Which place is cheaper, Lima or Madrid?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Madrid or Lima?
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 Lima 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 Lima?
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.
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 Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid €136Lima €71
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €136, while the average daily cost in Lima is €71. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid €77Lima €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid €154Lima €90
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Madrid 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.
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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid €19Lima €5.27
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 Barajas Airport: Transfer to/from Atocha Bus Station: $7.52
- Madrid Barajas International Airport - Private Arrival Transfer: $22
- Private transfer from Atocha Station to Madrid city center: $22
- Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $26
- Private One-way Airport Transfer Madrid To Madrid Airport: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer from Barajas Airport: $40
- Private Transfer: Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Madrid: $42
- Madrid Airport Private Departure Transfer: $43
- Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $44
- Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer from Airport to the City of Madrid Round Trip: $48
- Madrid City Center: Private Transfer to Madrid Airport: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€4.99
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Taxi Ride€4.99
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Short Taxi Ride€3.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $198
- Private Transfer From Lima To Paracas With 2 Stops : $176
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $150
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $134
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $119
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima city hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima city hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $87
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port : $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 €34Lima €16
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:
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $43
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $53
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $53
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $53
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $53
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $53
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $53
- Madrid Tapas Dinner Party with Guide: $54
- Traditional Paella & Sangría Workshop & Spanish Dinner in Madrid: $54
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
- Madrid San Miguel Market and City Center Street Food Tour: $63
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€3.99
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Ice cream€3.24
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Coffee€2.74
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Donut€0.87
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid €34Lima €7.96
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Essential: Free Walking City Tour: $1.08
- Tour Retiro Park - Madrid self-guided tour app: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.28
- Guided tour of the Madrid of spies: $3.28
- History & Culture Guided Walking Tour: $4.31
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour : $4.37
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.37
- Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour: $5.38
- Mapfre Foundation Entry Ticket: $5.38
- Wonders of Madrid City Walking Tour: $5.38
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)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.12
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid €20Lima €5.17
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:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.69
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting Experience: $50
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $50
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€6.71
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Beer€3.74
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Cocktail€2.99
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Lima, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid 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 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madrid Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Madrid 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.
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.