Which place is cheaper, Quito or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Quito? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lisbon or Quito?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon $195Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $195, 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 Lisbon and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon $74Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon $148Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon $29Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$7.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $43
- Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira | Torres Vedras | Campo Real: $50
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $103
- Airport transfer to Lisbon (metropolitan area).: $65
- Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $94
- Arrival Transfer by Sedan from Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon City: $47
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $71
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $102
- Departure Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $102
- From Transfer to Porto with up to 3 City Stops: $265
- GOLF Transfers - A GOLF Day from Lisbon: $74
- Horse Riding on the Beach with private transfer from Lisbon: $285
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:
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $30
- Transfer Quito → Papallacta (one way / round trip): $85
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $117
- Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel with bilingual driver: $43
- Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel or vice versa with bilingual driver-guide: $43
- Shared Transfer from Quito hotels to Airport: $42
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon $85Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lisbon Premium Music Cruise with Portugal Wine & Pizza: $28
- Lisbon Premium Cruise with Sangria, Pizza & Music: $28
- Lisbon Night Party Cruise with DJ, Pizza & Drinks: $28
- Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $32
- Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $32
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $35
- Lisbon Sunset Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $35
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $64
- Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $65
- Mesa de Frades Dinner in Lisbon Fado Show Portuguese Live Music: $71
- Taste Lisbon Like a Local: The Ultimate Full-Meal Food Tour: $77
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.Lisbon $28Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $0.70
- Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $0.71
- Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.21
- Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $1.76
- Age of Discoveries Walking Tour in Belém: $3.53
- Walk Lisbon Like a Local: Bairro Alto & Downtown Experience: $3.53
- Discover Complete Walking Tour with Belém & Sintra: $3.53
- The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.53
- Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.53
- Self-Guided Tours in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.53
- Historic Walking Tour Through Lisbon’s Oldest Neighborhood: $3.53
- Lisbon Walking Tour: Baixa, Chiado & the 1755 Earthquake: $3.54
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:
- “Adventure in Baths: Waterfalls, End of the World Swing and More”: $190
- 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included: $280
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- Andean Adventure : Riding and Cotopaxi Refuge: $140
- Antisana Birding Tours to see CONDORS - by Richard Hernandez: $185
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $210
- Antisana Volcano Condor Birdwatching Private Experience: $90
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities: $89
- Between Murals & Flavors: Modern Quito Walking Tour: $45
- Bloom to the Blue Quilotoa and Rose Plantation Tour: $100
- Cable Car Quito & Volcano Pichincha Trekking – Full Day Tour: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon $21Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $19
- Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $20
- Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $24
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl: $24
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $24
- Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $53
- Private Full-Day Wine Tour Lisbon | Setúbal Peninsula: $59
- Wine tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $65
- Wine Tasting and Culture: $74
- Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $78
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 Lisbon and Quito, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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.