Which place is cheaper, Quito or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Quito?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Kyoto Prices
Japan PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKyoto $109Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $109, 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 Kyoto and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $61Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $122Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.26Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $121
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Kyoto to Each City in Kansai: $252
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $108
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $121
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $140
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Osaka Hotel Private Transfer to or from Kyoto Hotel: $207
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $138
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $153
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $223
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:
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $59
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $42
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $40Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Japanese Sweets (Nerikiri) Cooking Class & Matcha tea: $24
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $41
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class: Okonomiyaki & Japanese Cuisines: $51
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $59
- T9 Kyoto Night Food Tour in Gion and Pontocho: $64
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $69
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $70
- Japanese Cuisine Cooking Class in Kyoto: $70
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kyoto $13Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $3.19
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.02
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.11
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $12
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Gion and Geisha District Walking Tour: $13
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
- Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
- Private Machiya Tea Room & Ikebana Experience near Fushimi Inari: $16
- Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Repair Experience in Central Kyoto: $16
- Ticket to Sake Tasting Night in Fushimi: $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:
- Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Cacao taste included Small group: $1.00
- Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Small group Cacao Taste included: $1.00
- Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Quito Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $34
- Half day tour - Old Town of Quito - Ecuador: $35
- Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
- Experiential Walking tour in Quito's Old Town: $40
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
- Hidden Quito Private Tour: Culture, Food & Local Secrets: $40
- Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $32
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $75
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $80
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $82
- Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $95
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $95
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $109
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
- Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access: $153
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kyoto and Quito, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto is in Asia 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Quito?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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.