Which place is cheaper, Quito or Antananarivo?
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 Antananarivo or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Quito can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Quito?
Antananarivo
Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.
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 Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Antananarivo Prices
Madagascar PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntananarivo $88Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $88, 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 Antananarivo and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntananarivo $28Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntananarivo $56Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo 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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antananarivo $13Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Cheap Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in Antananarivo: $17
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $102
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $40
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:
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $21
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $23
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $27
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Quito: $30
- Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Antananarivo 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 dayAntananarivo $47Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
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
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $55
- Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
- Ecuador Food Tour: $69
- 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
- Quito after-dark street food tour : $90
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Afternoon Coffee in Quito - Foodie Tour with empanada cooking class: $110
- Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antananarivo $23Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Antananarivo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:
- Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
- Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $25
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $37
- Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $67
- Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $144
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $154
- 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $173
- Day Tour from Tana: to Mantasoa Lake & Nosy soa Park: $184
- Full Day road Tour to Ampefy Village: $195
- Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental Antananarivo: $206
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:
- Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
- Explore Old Town Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour: $29
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $31
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $32
- Middle of the World and Volcano Tour: $33
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntananarivo $9.10Quito $17
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
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Quito, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antananarivo is in Africa 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 Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo 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.