Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Machu Picchu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Machu Picchu?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Machu Picchu $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $122. 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 Mombasa and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Machu Picchu $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Machu Picchu $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Machu Picchu $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Machu Picchu $78
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
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$2.87
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 dayMombasa $8.79Machu Picchu $7.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa 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.