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

Should you visit Bordeaux or Quito?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux or Quito?

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.

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 Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux is $183, 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 Bordeaux and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bordeaux $74
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bordeaux $148
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Bordeaux and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux


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: Bordeaux Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bordeaux $18
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:

  • Airport Transfer: Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Business Car: $107
  • Airport Transfer: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Luxury Car: $150
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $81
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Van: $119
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Business Car: $113
  • Bordeaux : Private transfer to/from Mérignac Airport: $100
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Business Car: $113
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $150
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $119
  • Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $198
  • Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Van Business: $259
  • Departure Transfer: Bordeaux to Airport BOD by Business Car: $113

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:

  • Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
  • Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $124
  • Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $95
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Minibus Departure Transfer from Quito City to Quito Airport UIO: $134
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
  • Private Transfer Quito: $40
  • Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Bordeaux or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Bordeaux 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
    Bordeaux $92
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux

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

  • Bordeaux food tour: sweet specialities & highlights: $26
  • Best of French Chocolate and Pastries Food Tour: $58
  • Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $65
  • Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour with local delicacies: $69
  • Afternoon Food Tour in Bordeaux : Local delicacies : $71
  • No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $73
  • No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Bordeaux center !: $75
  • Morning Market Food Tour: $82
  • Bordeaux : Morning Market Food Tour: $90
  • Bordeaux Chartrons Food Tour Wine, Pastries and Bistro Lunch: $91
  • Bordeau: Chartrons Morning Food Tour: $106
  • Bordeaux Food Tour: $114

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Ecuador Food Tour: $69
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour : $135
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
  • Quito Food Tour Where my Family Go Urban Art New and Old Quito: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bordeaux $26
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Bordeaux

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

  • Best : Bordeaux Walking Tour + 1 Wine glass: $0.59
  • Best : Bordeaux walking tour in Eng + Glass of Wine (Tip based): $1.80
  • Bordeaux Free Walking Tour (Tips-Based): $3.59
  • Bordeaux - Free Walking Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.61
  • Free Walking Bordeaux Tour ENG + 1 glass of wine (Tip based): $3.61
  • Bordeaux Free Walking Tour with a Glass of Wine : $3.61
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $5.29
  • Bordeaux Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Bordeaux Old Town Secrets: Self-Guided Walking Adventure: $6.00
  • The Best of Bordeaux Walking Tour + 1 Glass of Wine: $9.87
  • Bordeaux Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
  • Electric Train Tour: $14

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 Cacao taste included!: $1.00
  • Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
  • Half-Day Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
  • Quito Half Day PRIVATE City tour: $42
  • Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $42
  • Half Day Bike Tour Discovering Quito: $48
  • Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bordeaux $30
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux

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

  • Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $14
  • Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $14
  • Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $18
  • Château Olivier: One Hour Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24
  • Cité du Vin Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $26
  • Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $29
  • Wine Tour and Tasting: $32
  • Unusual wine tasting in DARWIN (Bordeaux)!: $34
  • Local Wine Tasting with Wine Store Owner: $37
  • Bordeaux wine tasting workshop with food and wine pairings: $41
  • Half-Day Private Natural Wine Tour & Tasting: $53
  • Guided Bordeaux Wine Tasting Class with 6 Wines and pairings: $53

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


Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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.