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

Should you visit Stockholm 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 Stockholm 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: Stockholm or Machu Picchu?

Stockholm

Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and is made up of over 14 islands that are connected by countless bridges. Water is an integral part of the city, but so are parks and gardens. The city is covered in strategically positioned green space. Together, the water and parkland cover more than half of the city's area, giving this bustling city a breath of fresh air.

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 Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Sweden, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Stockholm?

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

  • Stockholm Prices
    Sweden Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Stockholm $217
    Machu Picchu $125

The average daily cost (per person) in Stockholm is $217, 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 Stockholm and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Stockholm $107
    Machu Picchu $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Stockholm $214
    Machu Picchu $90
Compare Hotels in Stockholm and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Stockholm 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 Stockholm


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: Stockholm Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Stockholm $23
    Machu Picchu $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Stockholm

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Stockholm:

  • First Class Airport Limousine Transfer: Stockholm City to Arlanda Airport: $288
  • Skansen Stockholm Fast-Track Tickets, Private Tour, Transfer: $270
  • Stockholm Airport (ARN): Transfer to Stockholm city/port: $219
  • Stockholm Port to Stockholm hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
  • Private VIP Stockholm Cruise Port Transfer to City Center: $209
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm City Hotels to Visby Cruise Port: $202
  • From Viking Culture Guided Tour with Transfer: $201
  • Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) to Stockholm City - Arrival Private Transfer: $197
  • Private Arlanda Transfer Service to/from Stockholm: $192
  • Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) to Stockholm Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $187
  • Economy Transfer from Stockholm City To Arlanda Airport: $185
  • Private Transfer from Stockholm Airport (ARN) to Nynashamn Port: $163

Is it cheaper to fly into Stockholm or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Stockholm 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
    Stockholm $69
    Machu Picchu $36
Typical Food Prices in Stockholm

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Stockholm:


  • Breakfast
    $10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Stockholm

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Stockholm.

  • Boat Trip to Exe Ericson Mural & Pizza: $27
  • Taysta Food Tour in Stockholm: $29
  • City Cruise with Fresh Pizza: $31
  • Stockholm Pizza Cruise - Explore Stockholm's Waterways: $31
  • Swedish Fika and Pastry Food Tour in Stockholm: $93
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings -Eat like a Viking: $99
  • Stockholm Food Tour with Metro Art and a Royal Murder Drama: $112
  • Stockholm Food Tour: $117
  • Food Tour: $119
  • Old Town Food Tour of 7 Locals Favorites Tastings: $123
  • Stockholm Small Group Food Tour with 7 Classic Food Tastings: $134
  • Stockholm Food Tour Dining Through Sweden’s History: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Stockholm $28
    Machu Picchu $80

Tours and Activities in Stockholm

Here are a few actual costs in Stockholm for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1-day 7h Royal Palace and Castle Tour from Stockholm: $413
  • 2-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago - self guided: $288
  • 3 Hours Guided Shopping Tour in Stockholm Thrifting Stores: $106
  • 3-Hour Private Stockholm Photography Tour of Famous Landmarks: $172
  • 5 Hour Stockholm Tour including Vasa Museum from Cruise Port: $87
  • 5hs guided Sigtuna tour from Stockholm to Sigtuna incl. Wenngarn Castle.: $250
  • Audio City-Tour in Stockholm: $9.33
  • Best of Stockholm Walking Tour-3 Hours, Small Group max 10: $74
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
  • Best of Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours): $54
  • Best of Vaxholm: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Bike Tour Stockholm: $42

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
    $2.94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Stockholm $29
    Machu Picchu $7.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Stockholm

Also in Stockholm, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • The Original Pub Crawl VIP Club Access: $14
  • The Original Pub Crawl: $26
  • Stockholm's Best Pub Crawl: $37
  • Stockholm's Best Pub Crawl: $37
  • Wine tasting in Old Town Stockholm: $53
  • Swedish Wine Tasting Tour in Stockholm Gamla Stan: $332
  • Private Pub Crawl, Free Shots & Club Entry: $419


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