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

Should you visit Bern or Quito?

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

Should I visit Bern or Quito? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bern or Quito?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

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 Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ecuador, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Bern?

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 Bern is $292, 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 Bern and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $161
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $322
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Bern and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Bern 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 Bern


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: Bern Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $33
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $184
  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $219
  • Private Transfer Service from Bern to Bern Airport: $120

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:

  • Airport Transfer in Quito: $20
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • 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
  • Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $30
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito: $34
  • Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $34
  • Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Bern 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
    Bern $103
    Quito $34

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
  • 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
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes in Quito at the Terrace: $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
  • Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $230

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $4.36
  • Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $4.50
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.35
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $8.73
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $9.00
  • Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.45
  • Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $12
  • Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $22
  • The best Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $33

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
  • Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $20
  • Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $25
  • Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $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): $31
  • Shared middle of the world monument tour : $32
  • Private Walking tour in Quito's Old Town : $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $26
    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 Bern and Quito, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bern or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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.