Which place is cheaper, Quito or Darwin?
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 Darwin or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Quito, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Darwin or Quito?
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Darwin Prices
Australia PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarwin $148Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $148, 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 Darwin and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarwin $66Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarwin $132Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Darwin 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: Darwin Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darwin $13Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
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Shuttle to Train Station$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $100
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $196
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $98
- DRW Airport to Darwin City Centre Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $84
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $84
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $84
- Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise with Darwin Transfer Bus: $87
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:
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $20
- 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 Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Darwin 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 dayDarwin $69Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
- Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $72
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $96
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $110
- Cape Adieu Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner: $112
- Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $112
- Waterfront Seafood Dinner with Wine for Two: $132
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $135
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $135
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: $12
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- 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
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darwin $16Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- Aquascene Fish Feeding Experience: $11
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility: Two Iconic Territory Stories: $21
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $32
- Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $35
- Darwin Shore Excursion: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $35
- Adelaide River Queen Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $39
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $39
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $43
- 1-Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $43
- Discover Darwin Harbour: Darwin Harbour Afternoon Cruise: $43
- Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour: $46
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 English Free Walking tour Cacao taste Small group: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.88
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $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
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- La Mariscal and La Floresta Walking Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarwin $14Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
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Evening at a Bar$17
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Glass of Wine$4.89
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 Darwin and Quito, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Darwin is in Pacific 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darwin or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Darwin 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.