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

Should you visit Cordoba 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 Cordoba 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: Cordoba or Quito?

Cordoba

Cordoba is a Spanish city located in the southern province of Andalusia. With a culture embedded in Islamic heritage, the city is home to many architectural gems, the most significant being La Mezquita. Andalucía's major river, the Guadalquivir, flows just below the Mezquita, and the riverfront streets are bustling with lively restaurants and bars. Other popular centers of activity include the Jewish Quarter, Muslim Quarter, and the Old 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Cordoba?

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 Cordoba is $176, 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 Cordoba and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cordoba $79
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cordoba $158
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Cordoba and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Cordoba 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 Cordoba


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: Cordoba Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cordoba $33
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cordoba:

  • Arrival Transfer from Cordoba Airport ODB to Cordoba by Sedan: $77
  • Cordoba to Granada Private Transfer: $261
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver: $143
  • Private transfer in Cordoba from Airport or Train Station: $59

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:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $30
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
  • Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Cordoba or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Cordoba 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
    Cordoba $67
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Ice Cream
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cordoba

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

  • Show cooking on a rooftop at a Spanish mom’s home in Córdoba: $116
  • Córdoba Food Tour with Chef and Sommelier: $259

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.
    Cordoba $29
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Garden Entrance Fee
    $6.98

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cordoba are as follows:

  • Guided tour of Medina Azahara: $12
  • Guided Tour of the Cordoba Patio Competition: $12
  • Cordoba Tour of the three cultures to see the city in a day: $12
  • Guided tour Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba in Spanish: $13
  • Guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba in Spanish: $14
  • Guided Tour of the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba: $14
  • Visit in Spanish to the Cathedral Mosque. Does not include entrance ticket: $14
  • Walking Tour in Heritage center of Cordoba: $17
  • Cordoba Jewish Quartier Guided Tour: $18
  • Guided Tour of the Courtyards of Cordoba: $21
  • Authentic Patios of Cordoba Guided Tour: $21
  • Cordoba's Authentic Patios: 2-Hour Tour with Tickets: $21

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
    Cordoba $43
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cordoba:

  • Evening Wine Tasting Córdoba: $28
  • Cordoba Frescas Wine Tasting and Tapas: $65

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


Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cordoba. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba 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.