Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Zurich?
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 Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Machu Picchu?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364Machu Picchu $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, 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 Zurich and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197Machu Picchu $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41Machu Picchu $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- WEF DAVOS 2025 | TRANSFER TO/FROM ZURICH AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $754
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $656
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Lauterbrunnen: $599
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Interlaken.: $566
- Transfer Zurich Airport to Basel: $539
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lech am Arlberg: $467
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
- Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $450
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124Machu Picchu $35
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $41Machu Picchu $78
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $115
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $161
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $85
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $97
- Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
- Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour historic old town Zurich: $48
- Crash Landing on You: Switzerland Filming Locations Day Tour: $317
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $224
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$2.87
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 dayZurich $34Machu Picchu $7.28
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Machu Picchu, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich 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.