Which place is cheaper, Quito or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Quito?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $140Quito $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $140, 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 Bucharest and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $64Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $128Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $44
- Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $75
- Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $66
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $44
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
- Airport transfer to hotel: $66
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $52
- Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $244
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $289
- Bucharest Airport OTP Private Transfer to Bucharest Center: $32
- Bucharest Airport Private Transfer: $38
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:
- Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito: $34
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $119
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $145
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer : $45
- 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 from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
- Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $42
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel : $35
- Private Transfers / Full Daytour to Mindo: $46
- Private Transfers Quito to Tena: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Quito $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner and tour inside the Museum of Communism: $51
- Dinner inside the Museum of Communism & private tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $61
- Cooking Class traditional food: $67
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $72
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $86
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $88
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $110
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $143
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $206
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
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
- Cooking class In-home space: $75
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $89
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
- Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $230
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bucharest Old Town Secrets Quest Experience: $4.87
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.43
- Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $6.09
- Old Town Secrets Quest Experience: $7.06
- Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $7.06
- Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.82
- Museum of Communism Ticket + Communist Coffee: $9.79
- Walking tour- The Kings and the palaces from Bucharest: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $11
- Walking night tour through Bucharest: $13
- Walking Tour - Delightful Bucharest (Old Town & Victory Avenue): $14
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $16
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:
- Skip the Line: La Compañia Church Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Skip the Line: Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamin's Museum Ticket: $10
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at La Ronda Street: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $19
- Quito, Historical Center: Express Walking Tour: $20
- Quito at Night & Urban Legends Tour : $20
- 1914 Original Trolley City Tour: $20
- Express Tour in the Historic Center of Quito: $22
- Guided City Tour with Tastings and Box Lunch: $25
- Intiñan Solar Museum Tour Small Group: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.33Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $49
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $53
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $57
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $58
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $60
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $61
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
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 Bucharest and Quito, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Quito?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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.