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

Should you visit Faro or Quito?

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

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

Faro

Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Faro?

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 Faro is $186, 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 Faro and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Faro $87
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Faro $174
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Faro and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Faro 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 Faro


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: Faro Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Faro $11
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro

Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Albufeira Airport Transfers: $59
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Arrival): $41
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer to Albufeira: $56
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer to Alvor and Lagos: $112
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer to Carvoeiro: $88
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer to or from Vilamoura or Albufeira: $50
  • Faro Airport Transfer Alvor Portimao Praia Rocha Ferragudo +: $94
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Lagos: $20
  • Faro airport - Albufeira: Private Return Transfer: $112
  • From Faro Airport: Private 1-Way Transfer to Albufeira: $88
  • Private Airport Transfer: Faro City → FAO Airport: $43
  • Private Faro Airport Transfer to Vilamoura Hotel and Golf Resort: $56

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:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $137
  • Transfer Quito → Papallacta (one way / round trip): $85
  • Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
  • Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $59
  • Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
  • Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel or vice versa with bilingual driver-guide: $43
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
  • Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $42
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
  • Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Faro or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Faro 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
    Faro $72
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro

For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hours Classic Food Tour in Faro: $105
  • Faro Food Tour & Drinks and City highlights 10 Tastings: $116

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
  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Quito Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
  • The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
  • 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $85
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
  • Quito Food Tour Where my Family Go Urban Art New &Old Quito City: $155
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Faro $11
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Faro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.

  • Gateway to Algarve: A Faro Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Parque da Mina Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Faro Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $18
  • Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop: $21
  • Short Nature Tour in Ria Formosa Natural Park: $29
  • Eco Boat Tour in the Ria Formosa Lagoon from Faro: $29
  • 2 Hours Boat Tour Fishermen's Route in Ria Formosa: $29
  • Nature Catamaran Tour from Faro: $29
  • Four Senses - Immersive Experience: $33
  • 1 or 2 Hour Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa: $33
  • Tavira: Guided Table Olives Factory Tour & Tasting Experience: $34
  • Sunset Tour | Ria Formosa - From Faro: $35

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:

  • “Adventure in Baths: Waterfalls, End of the World Swing and More”: $190
  • 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
  • All-Inclusive Private Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito: $220
  • Andean Adventure : Riding and Cotopaxi Refuge: $140
  • Antisana Condor Tour from Quito: $220
  • Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $210
  • Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities: $89
  • Banos Highlights Tour - Adventure & Nature in One Day from Quito: $260
  • Cable Car Quito & Volcano Pichincha Trekking – Full Day Tour: $200
  • Cable Car and Quito Private City Tour: $89
  • City Tour in Quito. Muffin, Cable Car, Historic Center and Middle of the World: $150
  • Cotopaxi & Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Adventure in the Andes: $300

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Faro $3.64
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Faro

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:

  • Tour & Wine tasting - Authentic Algarve Flavours by Quinta da Tôr: $23
  • Visit to a Family Brewery in Loulé with Tasting: $30
  • Faro Pub Crawl Night of Drinks Games VIP Club Entry: $45
  • Discover Tavira - Tapas and Wine Tour: $88
  • Tavira Tuk Tuk Tour: Historic Center & Wine Tasting: $98
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting& Tapas in the heart of Faro: $115

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


Which is Bigger, Faro or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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.