Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Sydney?
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 Sydney or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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: Sydney or Machu Picchu?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Sydney Prices
Australia PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $218Machu Picchu $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $218, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $126. 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 Sydney and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $108Machu Picchu $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $216Machu Picchu $92
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $16Machu Picchu $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661
- Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
- Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD (Chauffeur Driven): $132
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD Private Transfer: $119
- Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD And Other Suburbs: $116
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Premium airport transfer to Western Suburbs: $106
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Sydney 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 daySydney $81Machu Picchu $36
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.76
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Lunch Special$10
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$10
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Meat Pies$3.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu: $83
- Dinner Cruise with 3-Course Meal: $103
- Food Tour in Surry Hills with 8 Local Delicacies: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $33Machu Picchu $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$31
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$32
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$131
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Powerhouse Museum$10
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
- 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
- 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
- 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $238
- 30-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2: $331
- Afternoon Discovery Cruise on Coral Trekker: $46
- Australian National Maritime Museum: See It All Ticket: $23
- Award-Winning Hunter Valley Wine & Cheese Tour from Sydney: $178
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Blue Mountain Half Day Tour (15 max) & Worlds Steepest Railway: $136
- Blue Mountains Adventure: Scenic World, Zoo & Koala Photo: $145
- Blue Mountains Deluxe Sightseeing Tour (15ppl) - Half OR Full Day: $122
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$2.96
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 daySydney $16Machu Picchu $7.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
- Hunter Valley: Wine Tour with 3 Tastings and Garden Lunch: $155
- From All Inclusive Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $155
- Chef-Led Hunter Valley Food & Wine Tour: $183
- From Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tasting Tour: $185
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Dumplings & Oysters: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Machu Picchu, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney 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.