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

Should you visit Hanoi 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 Hanoi 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: Hanoi or Quito?

Hanoi

Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.

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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Hanoi?

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 Hanoi is $58, 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 Hanoi and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hanoi $25
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hanoi $50
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Hanoi 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 Hanoi


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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hanoi $6.64
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi

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


  • Taxi to Bus Station
    $1.15
  • Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)
    $3.08
  • Local Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.38
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.31
  • Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)
    $0.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:

  • 1 Day Halong Bay Tour on Alova Cruise with Transfer & Lunch: $63
  • 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
  • 2 Days Halong Bay Luxury Cruise with Hanoi Transfer: $255
  • 2-Day 1-Night Halong Bay Luxury Cruise with Hanoi Transfer: $218
  • 2-Day Adenture Pu Luong Motorbike Tour with Transfer from HANOI: $125
  • 2-Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi with Transfers & Kayaking: $179
  • 2-Day In Halong Bay Cruise With Transfer From Hanoi: $200
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay With Transfer, Meals, Guide: $210
  • 2-Day Sapa Package Tours & Limousine Transfer: $150
  • 3-Day Pu Luong Jungle Ride Motorbike Tour Transfer from Hanoi: $280
  • 3-Day Sapa Tour from Hanoi by Luxury Limousine Transfer: $201
  • 3-Day Sapa Trekking Village With Local Guide, Meals & Transfer: $150

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
  • Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $65
  • Private Transfer Quito: $40
  • Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Hanoi 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
    Hanoi $23
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi

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


  • High End Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.23
  • Bowl of Pho
    $0.77
  • Italian Dinner (for Food)
    $5.96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi

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

  • Private Hanoi Cycling Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By Bike: $1.90
  • Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.90
  • (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: Old Quarter Food & Local Experiences: $19
  • Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
  • Hanoi local street food tour: $20
  • Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $21
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $22
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
  • Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $23
  • Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $24
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24

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: $15
  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • 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
  • 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
  • Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
  • Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
  • Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hanoi $8.20
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi

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


  • Puppet Theater
    $1.54
  • The Hanoi Hilton Entrance
    $1.54
  • National History Museum
    $1.54
  • Puppet Theater Ticket
    $2.69

Tours and Activities in Hanoi

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

  • Hanoi Old Quarter Customized City Sightseeing Private Tour: $1.90
  • Hanoi City Private Tour With Street Food Experience & Aquarium: $1.90
  • Sapa Motorbike Tour: Cat Cat Village, O Quy Ho Pass, Waterfall: $1.90
  • Hanoi City Private Tour with Bat Trang Village, Water Puppet Show: $1.90
  • Hanoi City Sightseeing Tour: Train Street, Incense Village: $1.90
  • Ninh Binh Tour: Trang An, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bai Dinh Pagoda: $1.90
  • From Sapa Trek, Cat Cat Village & Fansipan Summit Tour: $1.90
  • Hanoi Highlights & Shopping Shore Excursion Tour from Halong Port: $1.90
  • Private Hanoi City Sightseeing Shore Excursion From Halong Port: $1.90
  • Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Adventure with Easy Rider, Round-Trip Bus: $1.90
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh Adventure: Trang An, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Cave: $1.90
  • 2-Day Mai Chau & Pu Luong Tour with Trekking & Bamboo Rafting: $1.90

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 Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
  • Old Town Basilica of National Vow Towers/ Exclusive Night tour!: $5.00
  • Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
  • 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
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hanoi $7.42
    Quito $17

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


When comparing the travel costs between Hanoi and Quito, we can see that Quito is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Hanoi is in Asia and Quito is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Quito?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi 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.