Which place is cheaper, Quito or Brisbane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brisbane or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Quito can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Brisbane or Quito?
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrisbane $133Quito $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $133, while the average daily cost in Quito is $52. 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 Brisbane and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrisbane $82Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrisbane $164Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brisbane $18Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.91
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Go Card$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Car: $146
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane to Brisbane Airport BNE in Luxury Car: $146
- Arrival Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Van: $134
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane Port: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $186
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer Service to Brisbane City: $112
- Brisbane Airport to Brisbane Hotels Private Round-Trip Transfer: $70
- Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast Transfer Service: $56
- Brisbane Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Brisbane city: $96
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $52
- Brisbane Arrival Transfer Shuttle from Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $21
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 Transpor for tours, transfers, visits, etc, for 8 hours: $165
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $145
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $119
- Quito Airport Private Transfer Service: $112
- Transfer to Mashpi Reserve one way : $99
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $94
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños or Baños to Quito (one way): $90
- Transfer in and Transfer out: $75
- Private Transfers Quito to Tena: $65
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
- Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
- Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Brisbane 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 dayBrisbane $31Quito $20
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.28
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Cup of Coffee$1.98
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.26
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Ice cream$3.63
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.29
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Japanese Soup$7.60
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Coffee & Muffin$4.62
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Morning Mint Tea$2.31
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.25
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Bread$1.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $165
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: $35
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Cooking class In-home space: $75
- Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $114
- Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
- Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brisbane $24Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Australia's First Upside Down House Photo Experience: $10
- Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Audio Tour FREE Ticket: $15
- True Crime Tour: $22
- Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
- Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
- South Brisbane Cemetery Ghost Tour: $23
- Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour Crime Tours Australia: $23
- Ultimate Urban Adventure | Clue-Guided Experience: $28
- Themed Adventure Game: $30
- Midday River Sightseeing Cruise: $32
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:
- Flavors, Colors and History of Quito Private Tour: $185
- Otavalo Market Private Sightseeing and Surroundings: $110
- Tour Full-Day Mercado de Otavalo + Cotacachi, Ecuador.: $130
- 2 Full Days Exploring The Ecuadorian Amazon | Tour Start In Quito: $268
- 2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon: $329
- 2-Day Private Tour to Otavalo Market, Cuicocha Lake, Peguche and Condor´s Park: $295
- 2-day Quilotoa Lagoon and the adventure city of Baños: $265
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- 3-Day Private Tour of Quito: $120
- 3-Days Andes & Amazon | Tour From Quito: $858
- 8 Hours Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito includes Lunch: $100
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrisbane $51Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.91
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Sixpack of Beer$9.25
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Guiness Beer$5.61
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Sixpack of Beer$8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $50
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $65
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Brisbane: $100
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $104
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $126
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $132
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $133
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $134
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $144
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 Brisbane and Quito, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane is in Pacific 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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.