Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Machu Picchu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Reykjavik or Machu Picchu?
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Reykjavik Prices
Iceland PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $307Machu Picchu $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $307, 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 Reykjavik and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $160Machu Picchu $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $320Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $52Machu Picchu $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer between KEF Airport & Reykjavik: $279
- Private Transfer from Cruise Ship Port to Keflavik Int. Airport : $270
- Private Keflavik Airport Transfer (One Way): $270
- Private Roundtrip Transfer between Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik: $267
- Private Blue Lagoon Transfer in Iceland: $265
- Keflavik Airport Premium Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $260
- Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Skarfabakki Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $242
- Private Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport: $240
- Private Luxury Transfer from Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik: $228
- Private Luxury Transfer from Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon: $228
- Private Airport Transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik Int. Airport: $225
- Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik hotel /address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $223
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Reykjavik 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 dayReykjavik $60Machu Picchu $35
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $143
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $145
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $195
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $83Machu Picchu $78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$34
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour: $89
- Small-Group Tour: Northern Lights with Photos & Hot Chocolate: $138
- Winter South Coast Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik: $180
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Tour : Pick up from Reykjavik (2 persons per ATV): $131
- 1 hour Buggy adventure - From Reykjavik: $219
- 1-Hour Small Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: $151
- 9pm Whale Watching Cruise in the Arctic Sun: $99
- ATV - QUAD Adventure: $191
- ATV Reykjavik Adventure: $165
- Adventure in Landmannalaugar and Hot Springs - Reykjavík & Hella: $215
- Aurora by Boat Reykjavik Adventure: $93
- Black Beach ATV - QUAD Tour: $132
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 dayReykjavik $32Machu Picchu $7.28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller: $35
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Machu Picchu, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik 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.