Which place is cheaper, Quito or Glasgow?
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 Glasgow or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow 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: Glasgow or Quito?
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.
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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Glasgow Prices
UK PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGlasgow $242Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is $242, 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 Glasgow and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGlasgow $101Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGlasgow $202Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Glasgow $37Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow
Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: $136
- Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow by Luxury Van: $159
- Airport and Glasgow Centre Private Transfer to Oban: $472
- Arrival Private Transfers: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Luxury Van: $159
- From Private Day Trip to Edinburgh with Transfers: $1,122
- Glasgow Accommodation to Glasgow Airport (GLA) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
- Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Cumnock Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $296
- Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glasgow Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $284
- Glasgow Airport Transfer: $121
- Glasgow Airport Transfer: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Luxury Van: $159
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:
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Quito City to Quito Airport UIO: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $124
- Quito Airport Private Transfer Service: $112
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $95
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Private transfer to Mindo: $70
- Transfer to Mashpi Amagusa Reserve one way : $69
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
- Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
- Private Transfers / Discover Mindo: Full Day of Adventure Tour: $55
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Glasgow or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Glasgow 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 dayGlasgow $106Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:
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Dessert at Farmer's Market$2.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour with Drinks: $121
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $129
- Glasgow West End Food Tour: 7 Tastings, Scotch & Local Stories: $130
- Merchant City Food Tour (city centre): $143
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour: Explore Merchant City: $144
- Glasgow Food Tour: The Orginal West End Walking Food Tour: $149
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $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
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Chef: $85
- 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 after-dark street food tour : $100
- Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Glasgow $31Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)$16
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Two Bike Rental$46
Tours and Activities in Glasgow
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.
- Glasgow Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.96
- Entry Ticket to the Tall Ship Glenlee: $6.06
- Romantic Date Quest Experience in Glasgow: $7.16
- Haunted Quest Experience: $8.80
- Glasgow through the ages: An audio tour discovering the city's humble beginnings: $8.99
- The Merchant City: A Self Guided Audio Tour of Glasgow: $8.99
- Glasgow Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Glasgow Private Self-Guided Tour: $12
- Glasgow Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Gander Walking Tour: $16
- City Center Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm: $16
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: $281
- biking/ rolling/ walking Quito Old Town Tour - Private Tours: $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
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $198
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $120
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Baños Adventure Full Day Trip from Quito: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGlasgow $20Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:
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Bottle of Wine$16
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Ciders at Kilted Skirlie$4.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:
- Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $26
- Jackton Distillery: Tour & Tasting: $46
- Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $51
- Scottish Rogue Whisky Pub Crawl: $83
- Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $88
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $89
- Irish Legacy and St Mungo's Brewery Tour: $106
- Scottish Rogue Distillery Experience with Tasting: $122
- Glasgow Whisky Distillery Shared Tour: $130
- The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $148
- Group Tour on Ebike and Local Distillery!: $175
- Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $225
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 Glasgow and Quito, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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.