Planning a travel budget for Peru may seem simple at first glance, as the country seems financially accessible for Europeans — indeed, the cost of living there is 50% lower. Yet, many variables come into play: the type of trip desired, the means of transport, accommodation choices, meals, visits, and even altitude, which can lengthen rest time. This article offers a realistic, day-by-day estimate of what a traveler might spend during a three-week stay in Peru, with the goal of reasonable comfort but without excess, favoring local experiences and the country’s cultural richness.
International flights: a gateway to plan in advance
The first major expense is of course the plane tickets. Departing from Paris, prices range between 600 and 1200 euros depending on the season, how early you book, and the airline. The months of high tourist season (July–August and December) are the most expensive. Conversely, the periods between March and May or again September and October often offer better deals. If you book early and are flexible on dates and stopovers, you can aim for a round-trip around 700–800 euros. For this article, we use an average of 900 euros for international flights, including one checked bag, essential for bringing clothes suited to all Peruvian climates.
Internal transportation: between long-distance buses and domestic flights
Once there, Peru is a very large country. A classic itinerary generally includes Lima, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Puno and Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and sometimes a stop in the Amazon. This implies covering several thousand kilometers in three weeks. If you are willing to spend nights on quality buses, you will save on accommodation while moving efficiently. Companies like Cruz del Sur, Civa or Oltursa offer a good level of comfort for 15 to 40 euros depending on the distance. A Lima–Arequipa costs about 25 euros, a Cusco–Puno is around 20 euros.
For longer distances or to save time, domestic flights are sometimes recommended. The Lima–Cusco flight is the most used: by booking early, you can reserve it for 40 to 80 euros with an airline like Sky or LATAM, carry-on included. Counting 2 domestic flights and 3 or 4 long-distance bus journeys, the internal transport budget amounts to around 150 to 200 euros for three weeks.
Accommodation: between warm hostels, local hotels, and homestays
Peru is one of the most affordable countries in South America in terms of accommodation. In Lima, Cusco and Arequipa, it is possible to find a clean double room with a private bathroom for 15 to 30 euros per night. In smaller towns or rural areas, like Llachón or Pisac, the price sometimes drops below 10 euros if you choose a room in a homestay.
During three weeks, alternating budget hotels, homestays, and two or three more comfortable accommodations (in Cusco or Lima, for example), the average budget per night is around 20 euros. Over 20 nights, this represents about 400 euros for two, or 200 euros per person. Adding a margin for a few slightly more expensive or unexpected nights, we can round this budget up to 250 euros.
Food: full meals for under 4 euros
Food in Peru is one of the daily pleasures of travel. From the Pacific coast to the Andean mountains, the specialties vary: ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, quinoa in all forms. In most cities, it is easy to find “menús del día” between 2 and 5 euros including a soup, a main course, a drink, and sometimes a dessert.
If you alternate local menus at lunch, breakfasts included in hotels, and slightly more filling or touristy meals on some evenings, the food budget can remain very reasonable. On average, 10 to 12 euros per day are more than enough to eat well, or about 230 to 260 euros for three weeks. This budget can increase if you enjoy dining in higher-end restaurants or tasting cocktails based on pisco, but from a balanced travel perspective, 250 euros is a realistic base.
Visits and excursions: a country rich in experiences
Activities represent one of the largest expense categories in Peru, as many sites require entrance fees and some excursions are must-do. The entrance to Machu Picchu alone costs between 45 and 70 euros depending on the chosen option (site only, with mountain, or via the museum), not counting the train ticket and the bus to access it, which can double this amount. A round trip by train from Ollantaytambo costs between 60 and 120 euros, and the bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to the site entrance costs about 24 euros.
The visit of the Sacred Valley, the Uros and Taquile islands on Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon with its condors, or a trek of a few days in the Cordillera are all activities that require a budget. By choosing local excursions for one or two days, you can spread out your expenses. The Colca Canyon, for example, costs about 30 to 50 euros all included (transport, entrance, accommodation), the lake islands around 20 to 35 euros.
Adding up all the major visits and a few additional experiences such as a hot spring bath, a museum in Lima, or a traditional textile workshop, you should budget around 350 to 450 euros to fully enjoy what the country has to offer.
Additional expenses: souvenirs, SIM cards, water, small extras
Don’t overlook small daily expenses. Tap water is not drinkable, which means buying bottles or using purification tablets. Count about 1 euro per day for water. A SIM card with internet costs around 5 to 10 euros for 10 GB of data, useful for booking transport or communicating with your hosts. Artisan souvenirs (textiles, pottery, Andean jewelry) can quickly become a significant expense if you want to bring back something authentic. It is reasonable to include about 50 to 100 euros for souvenirs, hygiene products, laundry, or a few coffees in tourist areas.
A realistic recap of the budget for three weeks
Adding up all the expense categories for a solo traveler, the estimated budget for a three-week stay in Peru is as follows: about 900 euros for flights, 250 euros for internal transport, 300 euros for accommodation, 250 euros for food, 400 euros for activities, and around one hundred euros for miscellaneous expenses. The total is therefore around 2200 to 2600 euros for a single person, with a good balance between comfort, cultural immersion, and freedom.
Conclusion:
This budget is variable, it can of course be reduced by choosing night buses more often and/or by limiting paid visits. Conversely, it can increase if you want to sleep in 3- or 4-star hotels, travel by plane rather than bus, or take part in high-end experiences such as flying over the Nazca lines or staying in a lodge in the Amazon. Whatever your means, a trip to Peru will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on you.
