Which place is cheaper, Quito or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Quito?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $55Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $39Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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: Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Airport Transfer (EZEIZA o AEP) + Private Buenos Aires City Tour: $219
- Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $114
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $107
- Aljibe Tango Earlier Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels Buenos Aires: $115
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $124
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $140
- Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $68
- Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $114
- Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
- Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $126
- Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer: $71
- Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires - Round -Trip Transfer: $103
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:
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
- Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Private Transfer Quito: $40
- Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.37Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $26
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $36
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Madero Tango Dinner Show: $40
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $25
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Buenos Aires with Audio Guide: $5.70
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.97
- The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Private Shopping Tour with Matu Salcedo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
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:
- Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.73
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
- Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
- Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- La Mariscal and La Floresta Walking Tour: $30
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.99Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Classic Tiger Delta Navigation, City Tour and Wine Tasting: $69
- Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $99
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito, we can see that Quito is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Quito would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quito than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Quito?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.