Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Rio de Janeiro?
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 Rio de Janeiro or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu 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: Rio de Janeiro or Machu Picchu?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $122Machu Picchu $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $122, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $125. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Machu Picchu $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Machu Picchu $90
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.10Machu Picchu $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- TRANSFER 4 Passengers: Búzios/Angra dos Reis/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio.: $270
- Private Airport Transfers | Round Trip: $260
- Sugarloaf Mountain Sunrise Experience with Breakfast & Transfer: $253
- Private transfer from Rio x Buzios, Arraial and Cabo Frio 4 pax: $251
- Museum of Tomorrow - | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Rio Art Museum | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $244
- Private transfer from Rio de Janeiro x Angra dos Reis (4 max): $242
- TRANSFER - CLUB MED Rio: $225
- Private transfer Rio de Janeiro x Nova Friburgo: $218
- Transfer service to/from Rio and Angra dos Reis / Conceição de J.: $208
- Rio to Buzios Private Transfer - by Alan Denis: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $35Machu Picchu $36
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.60
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $55
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12 Tastings: $62
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $79
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- Rio Food Tour: Local Favorites, Hidden Gems & Brazilian Flavors: $96
- Rio Night Food Tour: Street Food, Local Drinks & Hidden Gems: $96
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $97
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
- Flavors of Cooking Class and Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Machu Picchu $80
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $65
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $121
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $229
- 12 Beaches Easy Bike Tour Rio de Janeiro: $62
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $282
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $44
- 4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias: $220
- 4-Hour Guided Kayak Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $95
- 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $149
- 5-Hour Rio's Essential Sights: Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $154
- 6-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $125
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$2.94
Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Machu Picchu.
- Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
- Private Tour Guide Service: $98
- Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
- Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Machu Picchu $7.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $33
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Botafogo Bar Crawl Eat and Drink Like a Local: $50
- Rio Pub Crawl with Caipirinhas & Bar Bites: $95
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $134
When comparing the travel costs between Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro 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.