Peru had always been one of those dream trips that lingered in my mind, but I never took the plunge, assuming it would be too expensive. Like many things in life, it’s about setting priorities and making sacrifices. When I finally decided to organize the trip according to my preferences, letting go of costly comforts and embracing the spirit of adventure, I was able to make my dream of visiting Machu Picchu a reality. Surprisingly, traveling to Peru turned out to be more affordable than I had imagined. If you’re wondering how much it costs to travel to Peru, here’s a detailed breakdown of my experience.
Travel Advice Before Starting
Before we dive into the details, there are a few tips for traveling to Peru that you should keep in mind. Traveling there isn’t as easy as some might think, especially if you’re planning a more adventurous trip. This budget is real and reflects the trip that we took. We traveled as a couple from Spain to Peru, spending 12 days and 11 nights in Peru, with a total of 14 days including flights. Our route took us from Lima to Cusco, with stops in Huacachina, Paracas, Arequipa, and, of course, Machu Picchu. It’s a country where food and accommodation are cheap, allowing you to offset some of the bigger expenses like flights and the Machu Picchu tour. Follow us on Instagram for more tips on budget-friendly travel!
How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Peru?
Flights: The Most Expensive Part of the Trip
Barcelona – Lima Without a doubt, flights made up the largest portion of our budget, taking up 48% of the total — practically half! I had been monitoring flight prices for some time, and they hovered around €700. We purchased our tickets about three and a half months in advance. Unfortunately, we had no flexibility with travel dates, which meant we paid more than we would have liked. However, if you’re flexible, you can sometimes find flights for as low as €530 round trip, though this is usually during the rainy season.
Flight Barcelona – Lima (with a layover in Madrid):
Total for two people: €1,523 (€761.50 per person). This price only included carry-on luggage. Since we traveled with cabin-approved backpacks, we avoided the extra cost of checked baggage.
Don’t Forget to Purchase Travel Insurance!
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Cusco – Lima
For the return from Cusco to Lima, we flew. We bought our tickets about a month in advance, but I recommend booking even earlier for better prices. If you book early enough, tickets can cost around €45.
Flight Cusco – Lima:
Total for two people: €117 (€58.50 per person).
Additionally, we incurred an extra cost of €28.80 because we couldn’t print our boarding passes ahead of time and had to print them at the check-in counter. Yes, nearly €30 to print two sheets of paper. The airline’s website wasn’t working on our mobile, and even after showing this to the airline staff, they refused to take responsibility and insisted we pay. They said we should have taken a screenshot four hours before the flight as proof — a ridiculous policy that was nowhere to be found in their terms. I strongly advise against flying with Viva Air due to this poor service.
How to Avoid Paying for Baggage on Budget Airlines
Avoid additional charges by using a compact travel backpack. We recommend Bidbamba’s travel backpack, which fits perfectly under an airplane seat. It holds everything you need for a 4-day trip, and you won’t pay a penny for it.
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Travel Insurance
We were traveling to Cusco, which sits at an altitude of 3,400 meters, and we planned on doing treks that reached altitudes of up to 5,100 meters. Standard travel insurance only covers up to 3,000 meters, so it wasn’t sufficient. We opted for IATI’s Backpacker Insurance, which covers mountain activities up to 5,400 meters. If you’re planning a similar trip, you’ll need this level of coverage. We also added the IATI Air Help service (optional), which manages compensation claims for canceled flights on your behalf.
IATI Backpacker Insurance + Air Help for two people (14 days):
Total: €136.31 (€68.16 per person).
Reminder: As a reader, you can get a 5% discount on any IATI insurance via this link.
Vaccines and Medications
There are no mandatory vaccines for traveling to Peru, but some are recommended. In our case, we needed the Hepatitis A vaccine, and David also needed the Typhoid Fever vaccine, which is taken orally. Both vaccines last for many years, making them worthwhile for future trips.
Hepatitis A vaccine: €38.08 (€19.04 per person).
Medications (Typhoid vaccine, mosquito repellent): €15.80.
Visas
For Spanish citizens traveling to Peru for tourism, no visa is required for stays up to 90 days. Therefore, no costs were incurred for visas.
Transportation: A Key Factor in Travel Costs
When considering how much it costs to travel to Peru, transportation is a crucial aspect. We primarily traveled between cities by bus, often opting for overnight buses to save on accommodation. If you plan to explore Peru by bus, I recommend reading more about bus travel in Peru to help you plan your journey.
Bus Lima – Ica: €36 for two people (one-way, €18 per person).
Overnight bus Ica – Arequipa (VIP seats): €69.24 for two people (one-way, €34.62 per person).
Overnight bus Arequipa – Cusco (standard seats): €20.88 for two people (one-way, €10.44 per person).
However, the most expensive transportation was the return train from Machu Picchu to Poroy (near Cusco). This train is exclusively for tourists and is overpriced, though the journey is scenic. For more information, check out this article on getting to Machu Picchu.
Train Machu Picchu – Poroy (one-way): €142.82 for two people (€71.41 per person).
Bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (one-way): €21.70 for two people (€10.85 per person). We hiked up to Machu Picchu (an exhausting but free experience), but on the way back, we took this shuttle bus.
For other shorter trips, we used taxis, Ubers, mototaxis, and vans, such as the one we took from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica station.
Total transportation costs (including urban travel): €411.06 (€205.53 per person).
Accommodation: Surprisingly Affordable
One of the most affordable aspects of our trip was accommodation. Given the high cost of flights and the Machu Picchu tour, we had to cut back on other expenses. Since we spent most of our days out exploring and only used the rooms to sleep and shower, we didn’t need luxury. Choosing the right accommodation in Peru is crucial when organizing a budget-friendly trip.
We typically opted for hostels and budget accommodations. We stayed in:
- One hotel (Arequipa),
- Four hostels (Lima, Huacachina, and two in Cusco),
- A Bed and Breakfast (Lima).
All had private rooms with bathrooms, except one hostel in Cusco. Some even included breakfast.
- Hostel in Lima (1 night): €35.
- Hostel in Huacachina (1 night): €31.
- Hotel in Arequipa (1 night): €42.
- Hostel in Cusco (4 nights): €89.
- Hostel in Aguas Calientes (1 night): €28.
- Bed and Breakfast in Lima (1 night): €33.
In total, we stayed 9 nights in accommodation. The other 2 nights were spent on overnight buses, saving on lodging.
Total accommodation costs (9 nights): €258 (€129 per person).
Tours and Attractions: Budgeting for Experiences
When calculating how much it costs to travel to Peru, don’t forget to budget for tours and attractions. Visiting Machu Picchu was, of course, the most expensive activity, but well worth it. Here’s a breakdown of the tours and experiences we enjoyed:
- Machu Picchu entry with Waynapicchu access: €111.74 (€55.87 per person).
- Machu Picchu guide: €13.40 for two people (€6.70 per person).
- Buggy and sandboarding in Huacachina: €18.72 for two people (plus €1.95 desert tax), €10.33 per person.
- Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve tour: €37.45 (plus €5.90 National Park tax), €21.67 per person.
- Santa Catalina Convent entry and guide in Arequipa: €26.89 (€13.40 per person).
- Inca Museum entry in Cusco: €5.30 for two people (€2.65 per person).
- Free walking tour of Lima: €5.
While the total cost of these tours might vary depending on your preferences, they can provide a good guideline for estimating the cost of activities in Peru.
Total tour and attraction costs: €243.45 for two people (€121.72 per person).
Food: Eating Well for Less
Peruvian cuisine is one of the most renowned in the world, but eating well in Peru doesn’t have to break the bank. We mostly ate at local restaurants and street food stalls, where you can enjoy a great meal for just a few euros. Splurging occasionally for more upscale meals is a good way to balance the experience.
- Average meal cost (local restaurants): €5-8 per person
- Splurge meal in a more tourist-oriented restaurant: €15-20 per person
- Street food: €2-3 per person
Overall, expect to spend about €10-15 per person per day on food if you’re eating local cuisine. If you’re sticking to street food, this amount can be even lower.
Total food costs for two people (12 days): €300-350.
To sum it up, a budget-friendly trip to Peru can range between €1,800 – €2,200 per person, depending on how many extras (like luxury accommodations or additional tours) you include in your plan. If you’re planning wisely, it’s possible to explore one of the world’s most iconic destinations while sticking to a moderate budget.
