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

Should you visit Brussels or Quito?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Brussels and Quito. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Brussels or Quito?

Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Brussels?

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 Brussels is $180, 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 Brussels and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brussels $80
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brussels $160
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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 Brussels


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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brussels $18
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:


  • Subway Pass
    $4.90
  • Atomium train ticket (2)
    $8.72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:

  • Airport Transfer: Brussels to Airport BRU by Business Car: $87
  • Airport Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $89
  • Airport transfers from Brussels to Zaventem Brussels airport by luxury car: $74
  • BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 3 Pax: $150
  • BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 7 Pax: $129
  • Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $493
  • Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $104
  • Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 3 Pax: $150
  • Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 3 Pax: $107
  • Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 7 Pax: $129
  • Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-7pax: $76
  • Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL): $270

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:

  • Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito: $34
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $107
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $145
  • Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • 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 Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
  • Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $30
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
  • Private Transfers / Full Daytour to Mindo: $46
  • Private Transfers Quito to Tena: $65
  • Private Transpor for tours, transfers, visits, etc, for 8 hours: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Brussels 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
    Brussels $72
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Brussels

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:


  • Ice Cream & Macaroons
    $5.01
  • Dessert (Turkish Delights)
    $5.18
  • Cheese
    $6.10
  • Olives and Snacks
    $7.61
  • Waffle
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
  • City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
  • Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $90
  • Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $109
  • Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $131
  • Secret Food Tours Brussels: $142
  • The 10 Tastings of Brussels With Locals: PRIVATE Food Tour (B-Corp certified): $160
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $163

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: $25
  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Ecuador Food Tour: $69
  • Cooking class In-home space: $75
  • 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
  • Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer: $92
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brussels $25
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Brussels

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

  • THE MOST COMPLETE TOUR of BRUSSELS! + PDF tour guide: $3.20
  • Brussels Walking Tour with Guide plus PDF: $3.28
  • Essential Brussels Tour: $3.28
  • Self Guided Tours Brussels With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.28
  • Evening Tour: The Dark Side of Brussels: $3.28
  • The Most Complete Tour Of Brussels: $3.28
  • Brussels Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.39
  • BELvue Belgium History Museum Entry Ticket: $5.36
  • Brussels Origins of the City: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.70
  • Leuven in 1 Day - Walking Tour - Audioguide in 7 languages: $7.32
  • Brussels in 1 Day - Walking Tour - Audioguide in 7 languages: $7.32
  • Museum Halle Gate Entry Ticket: $7.50

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
  • Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
  • The Original Quito City Tour : $20
  • Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $25
  • Shared Quito City Tour: $28
  • Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $29
  • Explore Old Town Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour: $29
  • Walking Tour Quito: $30
  • Middle of the World and Volcano Tour: $30
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $32
  • Quito : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
  • Night Tour of Urban Legends in Quito: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brussels $14
    Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $11
  • Beer
    $6.54

Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:

  • Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $18
  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
  • BXL Pub Crawl Guided Tour: $26
  • micro brewery tour with beer tasting: $42
  • Chocolate and beer tasting in a craft brewery & distillery: $71
  • Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Brewery-Distillery: $73

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


Which is Bigger, Brussels or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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.