Which place is cheaper, Quito or Beijing?
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 Beijing 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 Beijing 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: Beijing or Quito?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $97Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $97, 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 Beijing and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $43Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $86Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Beijing Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $8.35Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.10
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Train from Airport for Two$7.47
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Taxi to Hotel$8.97
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2 Metro Passes$2.39
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Metro$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $230
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- Acrobatic Show at Red Theater With Private Transfer: $80
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing: $112
- Badaling Great Wall Ticket, Transfer & Guide Service: $10
- Badaling Night Great Wall Ticket Show and Optional Transfer: $45
- Beijing 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfer Options: $26
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Airport (PEK) to Mutianyu Great Wall Round Trip Transfers: $189
- Beijing Airport Private Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $33
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:
- 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 Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $65
- Private Transfer Quito: $40
- Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $36Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.90
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.47
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.99
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Watermelon$2.09
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
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Two Popsicles$0.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Gastronomic Gems of Beijing Shared Walking Food Tour: $20
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- Beijing Chinese Home Cooking Class with Local Host: $43
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
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
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $26Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.97
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Two Opera Tickets$64
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Temple of Heaven Ming and Qing Worship Experience: $1.63
- Jingshan Park QR Ticket with 4 Language Audio Guide: $2.50
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $2.90
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Jingshan Park Ticket - Panoramic Forbidden City View: $3.00
- Tian'amen Square & Forbidden City Tickets or Guided Group Tour: $3.00
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking Service: $3.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking: $3.10
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Beijing Jingshan Park Entry Ticket: $3.60
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
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 Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Old Town Basilica of National Vow Towers/ Exclusive Night tour!: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- 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
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
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 Beijing and Quito, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Quito?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.