Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tokyo or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Machu Picchu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tokyo or Machu Picchu?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $190Machu Picchu $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $190, 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 Tokyo and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $79Machu Picchu $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $158Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $18Machu Picchu $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $804
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Hakone: $426
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $351
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $309
- Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND by Sedan Car: $291
- Tokyo Departure Private Transfers from Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT: $289
- Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $288
- Private Departure Transfer : Tokyo Disney Resort to Narita International Airport: $272
- Tokyo Airport Transfers: Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT in Luxury Van: $271
- Discount Rate, Airport Shuttle Van Transfer, Haneda ⇔ Narita : $260
- Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to Tokyo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by van: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $67Machu Picchu $35
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
-
Late Night Noodles$5.41
-
Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
-
Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
- Tokyo Ramen Dojo: Authentic Ramen Cooking Class & Tasting: $34
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $35
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $35
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $35
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $45
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $52
- Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
- Tokyo Sushi Making Experience & Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Like a local! Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food tour : $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $71Machu Picchu $78
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $104
- Knife Sharpening Experience in Tokyo : $23
- Kyu-Yasuda, Kiyosumi and Hama-Rikyu Tokyo Garden Tour: $159
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $114
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $104
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $277
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $187
- “Daikoku Car Meet Night Tour | JDM Experience in Tokyo”: $277
- 1 Day Nikko Walking Tour, Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi from Tokyo: $166
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$2.87
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $34Machu Picchu $7.28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
-
Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $38
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $118
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $173
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Machu Picchu, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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.