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

Should you visit Dublin or Quito?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin 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: Dublin or Quito?

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Dublin?

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 Dublin is $210, 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 Dublin and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dublin $80
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dublin $160
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Dublin 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 Dublin


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: Dublin Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dublin $23
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • “Executive Limousine Transfer from Dublin Airport – Private: $180
  • Arrival Transfer Dublin Airport to Dublin City by Van or Minibus: $127
  • Arrival Transfer: Dublin Airport DUB to Dublin in Luxury Van: $129
  • Chauffeur Luxury Driver Private Transfer: $156
  • Child Friendly | Dublin Airport Transfer: $186
  • Conrad Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport Private Chauffeur Transfer: $184
  • Departure Transfer Dublin to Dublin Airport by Van or Minibus: $127
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Luxury Van: $129
  • Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $94
  • Dublin Airport & City Transfers : $240
  • Dublin Airport (DUB) Private Transfer to Dublin City Centre: $82

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 Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
  • Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $124
  • Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $95
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Minibus Departure Transfer from Quito City to Quito Airport UIO: $134
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
  • Private Transfer Quito: $40
  • Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Dublin 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
    Dublin $100
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Dublin

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


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    $4.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

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

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
  • Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available: $36
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $59
  • Dublin Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $82
  • Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $88
  • Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $93
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $94
  • Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $96
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $102
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $116

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Ecuador Food Tour: $69
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour : $135
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
  • Quito Food Tour Where my Family Go Urban Art New and Old Quito: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dublin $29
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

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


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    $31
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    $32
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    $5.28
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    $7.39

Tours and Activities in Dublin

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

  • Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.70
  • Dublin Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Dublin Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Tour: $6.00
  • Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $7.05
  • Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.21
  • Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Dublin Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Scenic Coastal Dublin (Dun Laoghaire): $10
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
  • Dublin Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $12

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!: $1.00
  • Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
  • Half-Day Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
  • Quito Half Day PRIVATE City tour: $42
  • Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $42
  • Half Day Bike Tour Discovering Quito: $48
  • Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dublin $20
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Generation Pub Crawl: $16
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $24
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $26
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $38
  • Jameson Distillery Secret Whiskey Tasting Experience: $47
  • Gin Tasting Masterclass In Stillgarden Distillery: $48

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Quito

Also in Quito, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dublin and Quito, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dublin or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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.