A trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu can cost a lot or a little depending on how you put it together. This guide gives you 2026 reference figures so you can work out your budget without surprises: what is fixed (tickets, train), what depends on you (lodging, food) and where you can save without losing safety.
Daily budget in Cusco
| Style | Per day (approx.) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 40–60 | Hostel or simple private room, set lunch menu, taxi or city bus |
| Mid-range | USD 90–150 | 3-star hotel, restaurants, taxis and an activity |
| High-end | From USD 200 | Boutique hotel, fine-dining restaurants, private transfers |
These are reference values without tours or tickets. A set lunch menu in Cusco usually costs between S/ 12 and 25; dinner at a tourist restaurant, between S/ 45 and 90 per person.
How much Machu Picchu costs
- Entrance: from S/ 163 for adult foreigners; with Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, somewhat more.
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu: about USD 24 round trip.
- Train: USD 70 to 150 each way depending on the service and schedule.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes: from about USD 40 a night.
Adding everything up, going on your own runs around USD 200–250 per person without a guide. If you prefer not to coordinate schedules, our 2-day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour includes the Sacred Valley, train, hotel, entrance and guide. To compare all the ways to get there, read how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
How much the most popular tours cost
- Sacred Valley in one day: from USD 69. See Sacred Valley VIP.
- Humantay Lake: from USD 70.
- Rainbow Mountain: from USD 60.
- Salkantay 5 days: from USD 530. See Salkantay via Llactapata.
- Inca Trail 4 days: from USD 798, with permits, porters and camping. See Classic Inca Trail.
Prices are per person in a small group and may change with the season; for private service they depend on the number of travelers.
Where to save without risk
- Travel in the low or shoulder season (April, May, September and October): the weather is better than in the rains and there are fewer people than in July and August.
- Buy the full tourist ticket if you will visit several sites (we explain which one suits you).
- Eat the set lunch menu in markets and local restaurants: it is generous and cheap.
- Book trains and tickets early: the lowest prices sell out first.
Where NOT to save
On the agency for a multi-day trek (check that it is formal, with certified guides, a first-aid kit and oxygen) and on acclimatization: an extra day in Cusco costs little and keeps altitude sickness from ruining your trip. Read how to acclimatize.
Sample budget: 5 days in Cusco
A typical 5-day trip (3 nights in Cusco, 1 in Aguas Calientes and 1 in the Sacred Valley) usually adds up to USD 900 to 1,400 per person without flights, including Machu Picchu with train, the Sacred Valley, lodging, meals and tickets. Want an exact quote? Send your request: you pay nothing today.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need per day in Cusco?
Roughly USD 40 to 60 a day if you travel on a budget (hostel, set lunch and public transport), USD 90 to 150 mid-range and from USD 200 high-end. Tours and tickets are extra.
Is it expensive to travel to Machu Picchu?
It is the most costly part of the trip, but it can be adjusted: the entrance, bus and train add up to about USD 200 per person on your own; a 2-day tour with train, hotel and guide starts at USD 520.
Is it better to pay in soles or dollars?
In soles. Many places accept dollars, but at a worse exchange rate. Carry cash in soles for tickets, markets, tips and transport, and use ATMs inside banks.