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.
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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. While it is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, 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.
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Amsterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam $237Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is $237, 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam $114Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam $228Quito $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam $22Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram$3.59
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Renting a Bike$17
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One Hour Canal Cruise$11
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Single Day Transit Pass$2.92
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- 1 - 15 persons Minibus Amsterdam City transfer: $126
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $110
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam in Amsterdam City: $109
- 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $286
- Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Car: $118
- Airport or Port transfer Business Class (private car service): $177
- Airport transfer Amsterdam Schiphol: $103
- Airport transfer [Schiphol airport - Hotel in Amsterdam]: $115
- Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Eindhoven Private Transfer: $236
- Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Nijmegen Private Transfer: $230
- Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to The Hague Private Transfer: $123
- 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:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- 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
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
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
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Food Meals for one dayAmsterdam $90Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea$6.74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Romantic Dinner or Lunch in the Dark Amsterdam: $48
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $58
- Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $70
- Amsterdam Walking Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Drink: $73
- Amsterdam : Guided Cultural Food Tour: $80
- Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $86
- Amsterdam Food Tour: Authentic Dutch Tastings, Canals & Culture: $99
- 10 Tastes of Amsterdam Food Tour: Small Group, Full Meal & Drinks: $107
- Private Dutch Pancake Cooking Class in an Amsterdam Canal Home: $109
- Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Food Tour: $117
- Eating Jordaan Food Tour with Dutch Tastings: $125
- Italian Pasta Cooking Class in Amsterdam with Italian Chef: $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $15
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- 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 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
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam $41Quito $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:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum$6.74
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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:
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.42
- Amsterdam Alternative Tour: Drugs Policy, Street Art & Jordaan: $3.42
- Self-Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.42
- Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam with storyteller: $3.43
- Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
- Anne Frank & WWII Jewish Quarter History Walking Tour Amsterdam: $5.60
- Amsterdam History Walking Tour: $5.71
- Amsterdam Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.71
- Amsterdam Ghost Hunt: Self-Guided Mystery Adventure: $6.16
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Red Light District: $6.72
- Amsterdam self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt: $7.85
- Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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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 tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Saturday Night tour! Basilica del Voto Nacional exclusive tour: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.74
- 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
- Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $29
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Quito Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam $27Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Halloween Leidseplein Bar Crawl & Nightclub Entry: $29
- Red Light District Halloween Pub Crawl & Nightclub: $29
- Red Light District Pub Crawl in Amsterdam with 4 Shots: $34
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.