A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Machu Picchu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam or Machu Picchu?

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.

Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.

There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.

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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Rotterdam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rotterdam Prices
    Netherlands Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rotterdam 191
    Machu Picchu 104

The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €191, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is €104. 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 Rotterdam and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rotterdam 77
    Machu Picchu 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rotterdam 154
    Machu Picchu 76
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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.

Hotels in Rotterdam


Hotels in Machu Picchu


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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rotterdam 26
    Machu Picchu 27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam (Schiphol Airport): $296
  • Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $286
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Haarlem: $286
  • Private transfer: Rotterdam>Amsterdam, 2h Stop in De Haar Castle: $278
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Sightseeing Stop: $278
  • Private direct transfer from Rotterdam to Antwerp: $269
  • Private transfer: Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in The Hague: $267
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Gouda: $267
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Delft: $265
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Leiden: $262
  • Private Direct Transfer From Rotterdam to Vlissingen cruise port: $230
  • Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $226

Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Rotterdam 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rotterdam 93
    Machu Picchu 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
  • Guided Food Tour: $81
  • Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $88
  • Rotterdam City Center Food Tour: $89
  • Food Tour by Bike: $105
  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $105
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $106
  • Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $106
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $131
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $176
  • Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rotterdam 32
    Machu Picchu 66

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.

  • Unique Bike Adventure Gouda: cheese, snacks, drinks and lunch!: $83
  • "Remastered" Audiovisual Experience in Rotterdam: $31
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in Gouda All inclusive: $21
  • All-Inclusive Private Windmill Tour to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam: $195
  • Art and Architecture Walking Tour in Rotterdam - guided by Architects: $71
  • Best Intro Tour of Rotterdam with a Local: $165
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Best of small-group walking tour: $106
  • Boat & Beer Walking Tour: $113
  • Bonton Male Dance Show Evening Ticket: $59
  • Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.94
  • Breda Highlight Bike Tour: $35

Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu

For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Gardens of Mandor
    2.44

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rotterdam 19
    Machu Picchu 6.20

Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:

  • Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.40
  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $15
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $20
  • Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
  • The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $53
  • Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $582


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Machu Picchu, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.