Traveling to Peru: How Much Does It Cost? Travel Budget Guide

Planning a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting. One of the most common concerns travelers face is how much they need to spend to enjoy their adventure without breaking the bank. If you're wondering how much it costs to travel to Peru, rest assured, you don't need to sacrifice any vital organs to fund your journey!

In this guide, we will break down the estimated costs for a three-week trip to Peru. We will cover various aspects such as flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, and additional expenses that may arise while traveling. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of the budget you need to prepare for your amazing Peruvian adventure, along with some useful references for prices in the country.

Understanding Flight Costs to Peru
Transportation Within Peru: What to Expect
Accommodation Options in Peru
Dining in Peru: A Culinary Experience
Activities and Entrance Fees in Peru
Travel Insurance for Peru
Extra Expenses: What to Keep in Mind
Calculating the Total Cost of Traveling to Peru
Reference Prices in Peru

Understanding Flight Costs to Peru

Let’s begin with one of the largest expenses: flights. Traveling to Peru from Europe can be a bit pricey, with round-trip tickets typically costing between €600 and €700. Direct flights are available from Spain to Lima via airlines like Iberia, LATAM, or Air Europa. However, it may be more economical to look for flights with layovers.

For example, many travelers opt to fly into Quito, Ecuador, and then travel to Peru by land, which can often result in savings. I personally booked a flight with Avianca that allowed me to explore Quito before heading to Lima, costing around €600 round trip.

To find the best deals on flights, I recommend using Skyscanner for comparison.

Estimated average cost of flights: €650

Transportation Within Peru: What to Expect

The amount you’ll spend on transportation within Peru will depend on how much you plan to move around and the type of transport you choose. Internal flights can add significantly to your costs, while buses tend to be more affordable.

Based on my experience, I primarily traveled by bus, opting for reputable companies like Cruz del Sur and Civa. Below are some typical routes and their prices:

Lima to Paracas (daytime, 4 hours, Cruz del Sur, 60 soles)
Ica to Arequipa (overnight, 13 hours, Civa, 90 soles)
Arequipa to Cusco (overnight, 10 hours, Civa, 100 soles)
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (overnight, 10 hours, Cruz del Sur, 80 soles)
Puerto Maldonado to Puno (overnight, 12 hours, Reyna, 80 soles)

Additionally, keep in mind the cost of the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu, which will set you back approximately €120 for a round trip. For local city transport, taxis are quite affordable, costing around €1-2 per ride.

Estimated average cost of transportation: €240

Accommodation Options in Peru

In general, you’ll find that accommodations in Peru are reasonably priced and of good quality. There's a wide variety of options catering to all types of travelers. During my stay, I chose mid-range hotels that were comfortable and conveniently located, usually costing around €30 per double room with private bathroom and breakfast included.

For a 17-night stay (excluding bus nights), you can expect to spend about €255 per person on accommodation.

Estimated average cost of accommodation: €255

Dining in Peru: A Culinary Experience

Peru is known for its incredible cuisine! Eating at local markets or restaurants can be very affordable. Daily menus typically cost between 10-20 soles (€2.5-5) and are delicious. If you prefer dining in touristy establishments, expect to pay around €5-10 per dish.

With the culinary diversity in Peru, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, you can enjoy a wide range of dining experiences. On average, budgeting for €12 daily for lunch and dinner per person (with breakfast included in your accommodation) seems reasonable.

Estimated average cost for food: €250

Activities and Entrance Fees in Peru

One of the highlights of traveling to Peru is engaging in various activities, many of which require tours or entry fees. Here are some popular tours and their costs:

We’ve excluded activities like the two-day Amazon tour in Puerto Maldonado for €170 (all-inclusive) and flights over the Nazca Lines for about €70.

Estimated average cost for activities: €225

Travel Insurance for Peru

While travel insurance is not mandatory, it's highly recommended. Having a good insurance policy can save you from unexpected expenses due to cancellations or health issues. For a three-week trip, I suggest considering the Iati Mochilero for €98 or the Iati Standard for €70.

Estimated average cost of travel insurance: €98

Extra Expenses: What to Keep in Mind

Souvenirs, personal items, or a few drinks can add up quickly; this section is highly variable and depends entirely on your spending habits. You could spend nothing or exceed €100.

From my experience, I tend to limit my spending on extras due to space in my backpack. However, I set aside about €25 for souvenirs, a local SIM card, and a couple of drinks.

Estimated average cost for extras: €25

Calculating the Total Cost of Traveling to Peru

Now that we’ve broken down the costs, here’s a summary of what you can expect to spend for a three-week trip to Peru:

Flights → €650

Transportation → €240

Accommodation → €255

Food → €250

Activities → €225

Travel Insurance → €98

Extras → €25

TOTAL → €1,743

Reference Prices in Peru

Here are some typical prices to give you a clearer idea of the cost of living in Peru (4 soles are roughly equivalent to €1):

Cusquena Beer: 12 soles in bars / 7 soles in stores
Soda, lemonade, or chicha morada: 3-8 soles
Good coffee in a café: 8-10 soles
Homemade cake in a café: 12-15 soles
Daily menu: 10-15 soles
Dish in a local restaurant: 5-15 soles
Dish in a tourist restaurant: 20-40 soles
Taxi ride of 2-3 km: 10-15 soles
1 hour of long-distance bus travel: 10 soles
Local SIM card: 30-40 soles
Laundry: 5 soles per kilo
Souvenir: from 2 soles

With this detailed breakdown, you should now have a clearer understanding of the cost of traveling to Peru for three weeks. If you’re ready to explore this stunning country, pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable adventure!

To further assist you in planning, check out this video on budgeting for a trip to Peru:

You’ll find more insights and day-to-day experiences from my travels on our Instagram stories.