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

Should you visit Cairo 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 Cairo 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: Cairo or Quito?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Cairo?

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 Cairo is $30, 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 Cairo and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $10
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $20
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.46
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • 01 way Transfer from Cairo airport to your Hotel in Giza: $13
  • 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
  • 2 Day Cairo Tour upon arrival day with airport transfer: $138
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $200
  • 2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria): $208
  • 2 Private day tours in Giza pyramids and Cairo city with 2 airport Transfers: $155
  • 2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free Transfer from Airport: $126
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour with Free Airport Transfers: $240
  • 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
  • 3-Day Private Tour from Cairo to Aswan and Return with Transfer: $143
  • 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $300

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:

  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
  • 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 IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $59
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $42
  • Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
  • Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Cairo 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
    Cairo $16
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

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


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $4.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $6.30
  • Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $6.30
  • Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $7.20
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $7.20
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $7.20
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $8.00
  • Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.10
  • Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $8.10
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.10
  • 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.10
  • Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $8.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $8.27
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.76
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $5.89

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Full experience Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside pyramids &tombs: $2.00
  • Private Day tour in Khan Elkhalele Market with Shopping and Lunch: $3.00
  • Giza Pyramids Tour, Sphinx, Camel Ride and Shopping: $3.00
  • Top Day Giza Pyramids the Top complete Pyramids Tour in Cairo: $3.50
  • VIP Shopping Private Tour Papyrus Perfume Bazaars and Cotton: $3.60
  • Cheap Day tour Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum,Felucca: $3.75
  • Private 6-Hour Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Nile Felucca Tour: $4.00
  • Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx Day Tour: $4.00
  • Grand Egyptian Museum&Giza Pyramids All-Inclusive Tour with Lunch: $4.00
  • VIP Pyramid Tour Inside the 3rd Pyramid with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.00
  • Full-Day Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, Saqqara&Memphis All-Inclusive Tour: $4.00
  • Half Day Private Tour of the Giza Pyramids with Camel Ride, Lunch: $4.00

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:

  • Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Cacao taste included Small group: $1.00
  • Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Small group Cacao Taste included: $1.00
  • Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
  • Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
  • Walking Tour Quito: $30
  • Quito Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $34
  • Half day tour - Old Town of Quito - Ecuador: $35
  • Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
  • Experiential Walking tour in Quito's Old Town: $40
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
  • Hidden Quito Private Tour: Culture, Food & Local Secrets: $40
  • Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.34
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Quito, we can see that Quito is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Quito?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.