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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Quito?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Quito, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Quito?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.

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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Amsterdam?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is $240, 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 Amsterdam and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam $116
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam $232
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam


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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam $23
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

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


  • Ride on Tram
    $3.65
  • Renting a Bike
    $17
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    $11
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    $2.97
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    $3.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1 - 15 persons Minibus Amsterdam City transfer: $129
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $113
  • 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam: $147
  • 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $294
  • Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Car: $122
  • Airport or Port transfer Business Class (private car service): $182
  • Airport or Port transfer First Class (private car service): $265
  • Airport transfer [Schiphol airport - Hotel in Amsterdam]: $115
  • Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Den Bosch Private Transfer: $154
  • Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Eindhoven Private Transfer: $243
  • Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Nijmegen Private Transfer: $237
  • Amsterdam Airport (AMS) Transfer to Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Keukenhof: $35

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:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $137
  • Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
  • Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
  • Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $65
  • Private Transfer Quito: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Amsterdam 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
    Amsterdam $91
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • Afternoon Tea
    $6.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

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

  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $11
  • Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
  • Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $37
  • Amsterdam Guided Cruise with New York Pizza, Drinks and Ice Cream: $41
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
  • 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $71
  • Amsterdam : Guided Cultural Food Tour: $82
  • Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $88
  • Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $91
  • Amsterdam Famous Dinner Show at Supper Restaurant: $93
  • Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
  • Amsterdam Food Tour: Authentic Dutch Tastings, Canals & Culture: $99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
  • Quito Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
  • Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
  • Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
  • Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
  • Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam $41
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

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


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    $6.84
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    $19

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

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

  • Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.52
  • Amsterdam Introductory Walking Tour with a Local: $3.52
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.52
  • The Anne Frank Tour | Amsterdam during WWII: $3.52
  • Self-Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.52
  • Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & More: $3.52
  • Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam with storyteller: $3.53
  • Self Guided Space Tourist Exploration of Amsterdam's Cosmic Side: $5.00
  • Museumkwartier Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Amsterdam Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.29
  • Amsterdam History Walking Tour: $5.88
  • Amsterdam Free tour World War II and Anne Frank: $5.88

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:

  • Quito Old Town Free walking tour English small group Cacao Taste!: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town English tour small groups Cacao Taste!: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
  • Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.94
  • Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
  • 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
  • Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
  • Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
  • Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
  • Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam $27
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

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

  • Red Light District Bar Crawl: $21
  • Amsterdam Red Light Pub Crawl with Beer Hostess and 4 Shots: $28
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $88
  • Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $100
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $102
  • Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140
  • Zaanse Schans and Zaandijk: old windmills, chocolate & brewery: $229

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:

  • Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Quito, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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.