Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Quito?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Quito or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$72
Quito
$41
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $72, while the average daily cost in Quito is $41. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $58. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $18. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Quito the cost is $36 on average.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $29
Quito $18
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$58
Quito
$36
Food
In Buenos Aires, Argentina travelers spend around $23 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Quito travelers spend around $16 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch
$0.22
-
Cup of Coffee
$0.13
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Empandas
$0.16
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Espresso
$0.08
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Dinner (Pizza)
$0.13
-
Ice Cream
$0.12
-
Breakfast at Airport
$0.33
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.09
-
Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
-
Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
-
Lunch for 2
$1.45
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Cake and Coffee
$4.67
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Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.02
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Lunch
$7.35
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
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Quito Like a Local Cooking Class:
$75
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Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English):
$78
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Quito Best Markets and Local Food Tour:
$81
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Quito Top Ecuadorian Food Tour and Canelazo at “La Ronda”:
$87
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Quito Cooking Class:
$89
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Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer:
$90
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Ecuadorian Cooking Class in Quito + Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting:
$102
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Quito Culinary Tour and Cooking Class:
$105
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Gourmet Cooking Class in Historic Quito + Market Tour with Chef Pancho:
$120
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Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses (PRIVATE DAY TOUR):
$149
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $11 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Quito is $5.59 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $11
Quito $5.59
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport
$1.17
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.31
-
Taxi
$0.82
Typical Local Transportation prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
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2-Night Quito Experience: Transfer, Tour and Mariscal Accommodation:
$140
-
7-Day Tour of Galapagos and Quito Including Hotel and Transfers:
$1,240
-
8-Day Tour of Galapagos and Quito Including Hotels and Transfers:
$1,318
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Airport Transfer Service in Quito City:
$27
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito City in 4x4 vehicle:
$42
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Arrival Private Transfer: Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito City in a Minibus:
$25
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Arrival Private Transfer: Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito City in a Minivan:
$70
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Departure Private Transfer: Quito City to Quito Airport (UIO) in 4x4 vehicle:
$42
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Departure Private Transfer: Quito City to Quito Airport (UIO) in a Minibus:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer: Quito City to Quito Airport (UIO) in a Minivan:
$70
-
English & Spanish Speaking Transfer Service In & Out All Ecuador:
$48
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Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito:
$44
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.
Entertainment
Buenos Aires, Argentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Quito's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
Quito $13
Typical Entertainment prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Typical Entertainment prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Skip the Line: La Compañia Church Admission Ticket:
$5.50
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Skip the Line: Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamin's Museum Ticket:
$10
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Tour Guide and Driver:
$10
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Quito City Tour Hop-On Hop-Off:
$12
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Quito 3-Hour City Tour at Night:
$15
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Quito at Night & Urban Legends Tour - "Small Group":
$15
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The Original Quito City Tour in Trolley with Hotel Pick-up - "Small Group":
$15
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Quito Hop-on Hop-off City Bus Tour:
$15
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1914 Original Trolley City Tour of Quito:
$15
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Equatorial Monument: 3-Hour Tour from Quito:
$19
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Middle of the World Tour With Tickets - "Small Group":
$19
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Original Quito City Tour in Trolley:
$20
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Quito may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer
$0.10
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.17
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$5.87
Typical Alcohol prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buenos Aires, Argentina than you might in Quito.
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