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

Should you visit Hvar 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 Hvar 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: Hvar or Quito?

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Hvar?

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 Hvar is $234, 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 Hvar and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hvar $91
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hvar $182
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Hvar and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Hvar 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 Hvar


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: Hvar Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hvar $57
    Quito $6.99

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 Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
  • Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Hvar or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Hvar 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
    Hvar $108
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hvar

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

  • Cooking Class on Hvar Island: A Farm-to-Table Experience: $185

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
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
  • Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
  • Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
  • Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hvar $21
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Hvar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:

  • Hvar Self Guided Tour of the City Made by a Harbour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of Hvar’s Historical Old Town: $15
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $23
  • Private Multi-Activity Experience in Adventure Park Hvar Jelsa: $26
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $31
  • Stand Up Paddle school - learn to SUP and make your first SUP tour: $34
  • Timeless Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide: $43
  • Sunset Boat Tour with unlimited wine,drinks & Music at Stari Grad: $46
  • Private Half-Day Kayak Experience in Hvar and Pakleni Islands: $58
  • Lavender Fields & Villages: Private E-Bike Tour with Swim Stop: $70
  • Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on a modern 36ft (11m) sail yacht | Hvar: $74
  • Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Hvar with lunch and drinks unlimit: $80

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 tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
  • Saturday Night tour! Basilica del Voto Nacional exclusive tour: $5.00
  • Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.74
  • 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
  • Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $29
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
  • Walking Tour Quito: $30
  • Quito Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hvar $22
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

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

  • Wine Tasting Round Trip from Hvar Family Winery at a Hilltop: $89
  • Private Hvar Island Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $112
  • Sunset E Bike Tour and Wine Tasting on Hvar Island: $142
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $165
  • Exclusive Hvar Wine Tour with Scenic Views and Local Wines: $172
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour: $195
  • Stari Grad Private Tuk Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting: $252
  • The Best of Hvar Small Group with Wine Tasting and Local meal: $292
  • From Split: Private Blue Lagoon & Pakleni with Wine Tasting: $2,567

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


Which is Bigger, Hvar or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 380 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Hvar 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.