Which place is cheaper, Quito or Edinburgh?
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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh or Quito?
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
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 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Edinburgh Prices
UK PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEdinburgh $233Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is $233, 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 Edinburgh and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEdinburgh $101Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEdinburgh $202Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Edinburgh $23Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $330
- Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Business Car: $149
- Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Luxury Car: $168
- Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Luxury Van: $173
- Airport Transfer: Edinburgh to Airport EDI by Luxury Car: $179
- Airport Transfer: Edinburgh to Airport EDI by Luxury Van: $173
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $275
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3 pax: $117
- Departure Transfer: Edinburgh to Airport EDI by Business Car: $142
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh Accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
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:
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer In from Quito's Airport to the city: $39
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $100
- Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel with bilingual driver: $43
- Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $36
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Edinburgh 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 dayEdinburgh $92Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$12
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Dinner at Filling Station$14
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Lunch for Two$20
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Sandwich$2.52
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Cheese & bread$9.86
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$34
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2 Coffees and Scones$7.91
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Turkish Delight$1.91
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Soup at the Pub$8.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $37
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $106
- Private 3-Hour Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $108
- Scottish Mezze Cooking Class: $115
- Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, Secret Dish & More: $125
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $126
- Spirit of Scotland Show with 4-Course Dinner: $128
- VIP Food Tour at a Secret Traditional Restaurant: $133
- Scotch Whisky Tasting & 3 Course Dinner: $135
- The Best Food Tour in Edinburgh: $136
- Premium Edinburgh Traditional Food Tour: $149
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Edinburgh $27Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets$44
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Movie Tickets for Two$16
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Donation for Storytellers$8.18
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.39
- Stunning Old Town Walking Tour: $6.74
- Manchester Music Tour: $6.84
- Ghosts of Bloody Past Exploration Game and Tour: $7.20
- Edinburgh's Trainspotting Sites Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Old Town Walking Tour with an APP: $7.99
- Folklore & History Walking Tour: $8.08
- Edinburgh City of Wizards Exploration Game and Tour: $8.72
- Edinburgh Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.61
- Mary Queen of Scots: Edinburgh Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
- Edinburgh Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Royal Mile: $11
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:
- A Full-Day Private Adventure Antisana Andean Volcano: $100
- The best of Quito walking tour: $283
- Tour Full-Day Mercado de Otavalo + Cotacachi, Ecuador.: $75
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- All Inclusive Mindo Cloud Forest in a Private Full Day Tour: $130
- Andean Adventure : Riding and Cotopaxi Refuge: $140
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $198
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $120
- Antisana Volcano Private Tour: $103
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEdinburgh $21Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine$19
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Edinburgh's Best Bar Crawl: Free Shots, Discounts, Photos: $11
- 7 Bar Pub Crawl with 7 Shots & Discounts: $16
- Ultimate Pub Crawl Party with 7 Bars & 1 Club: $16
- Guided Gin Tour & Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $19
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $20
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $21
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $26
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $27
- Haggis paired with whisky & gins in 56 North distillery!: $28
- Tranent: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting: $28
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Tour (Distillery & Tasting): $34
- St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl Edinburgh: $34
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
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 Edinburgh and Quito, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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.