A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Quito for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Quito?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Quito can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Quito?

Abu Dhabi

It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.

Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.

Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.

Quito

Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.

Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.

Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Abu Dhabi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Abu Dhabi Prices
    UAE Prices
    Quito Prices
    Ecuador Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $197
    Quito $66

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Abu Dhabi and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Quito? 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.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Quito


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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:


  • Car Rental
    $31
  • Taxi to Airport
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:

  • Qasr Al Watan/King Palace Abu Dhabi with Entry Ticket & Transfer: $185
  • Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $89
  • Abu Dhabi : Private Half Day Guided Tour - Transfer Included: $191
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $31
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $171
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $170
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $215
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $27
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:


  • Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:

  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
  • Airport Transfer in Quito: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
  • Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $27
  • Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $30
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Abu Dhabi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Abu Dhabi $78
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.

  • Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $39
  • Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $48
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Festival with Dinner: $65
  • Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
  • Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
  • Desert Safari with Sheikh Zayed Festival & Dinner: $95
  • Dune Dinner Safari Abu Dhabi: $98
  • Evening Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner- Standard Tour : $99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.

  • Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $29
  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Afternoon Coffee in Quito - Foodie Tour with empanada cooking class: $110
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes in Quito at the Terrace: $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi: $7.38
  • Qasr Al Hosn Entry Ticket: $8.17
  • Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
  • Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
  • Louvre Join an Express Guided Tour: $14
  • Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $15
  • Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
  • Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
  • Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
  • Tickets to Qasr Al Watan & Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $17
  • Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $17
  • Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi : $17

Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito

Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Quito

Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at La Ronda Street: $15
  • Mitad del Mundo daily tour with 3 stops and local guide: $20
  • Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $25
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $28
  • Shared Quito City Tour: $28
  • Explore Old Town Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour: $29
  • Walking Tour Quito: $30
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $31
  • Quito : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Quito $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:


  • Beers for Two
    $9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Quito

Also in Quito, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-day tour to high altitude vineyards and wine tasting: $45
  • Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $130


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Quito, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Quito 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Quito.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Quito, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.