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

Should you visit Lyon or Quito?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon 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: Lyon or Quito?

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

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 Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Lyon?

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 Lyon is $182, 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 Lyon and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lyon $62
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lyon $124
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Lyon 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 Lyon


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: Lyon Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lyon $20
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    $6.10
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $86
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $119
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $101
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $99
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Aix-les-Bains - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Morzine/Avoriaz - Arrival Private Transfer: $271
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon Airport (LYS) to City centre: $87
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon city centre to Lyon (LYS) Airport: $144
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport(LYS)to Aix-les-Bain-RoundTrip Transfer: $168
  • Private Transfer Grenoble Airport GNB - Grenoble Ski Resort: $251
  • Private Transfer from Port of LYON to Lyon Railway Stations: $78
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $119

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:

  • Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
  • Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel : $35
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Lyon or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Lyon 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
    Lyon $83
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

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

  • 3h Lyon Vegan Food Tour: $78
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $89
  • Food Tour in Lyon – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $96
  • Food Tour by night: $101
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $106
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with 6 French Delicacies & Fine Wine: $109
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $125
  • Croix Rousse Market & Rooftop Cooking Class in Lyon: $222
  • Private Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $227
  • Private Food Tour Halles of Lyon Paul Bocuse: $239
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour: $273

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
  • 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 Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour : $135
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
  • Quito Food Tour Where my Family Go Urban Art New and Old Quito: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lyon $24
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $53

Tours and Activities in Lyon

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

  • Self Guided Tour in Lyon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.76
  • Lyon's History and Must-Sees with a Local! (English Walking Tour): $5.96
  • Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English) : $5.99
  • Lyon Interactive City Tour: $8.35
  • Lyon Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.37
  • Lyon Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Lyon Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
  • Lyon Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Lyon UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $12
  • Lyon WWII and Resistance Tour with Audio Guide: $13

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, Free walking tour Cacao taste included!: $1.00
  • Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
  • Half-Day Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
  • Quito Half Day PRIVATE City tour: $42
  • Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $42
  • Half Day Bike Tour Discovering Quito: $48
  • Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lyon $28
    Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.98
  • Bottle of Wine
    $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

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

  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $30
  • Wine tasting in Lyon & Secret Traboules: $95
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $107
  • Wine Tasting and Introduction to Tasting Techniques: $114
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $118
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $118
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $118
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (9:00 am - 1:30 pm) - Small Group Tours from Lyon: $119
  • Beaujolais wine tour from Lyon half day: $130
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $130
  • Northern Rhône Valley Wine tour from Lyon Half Day: $130
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $142

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

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


Which is Bigger, Lyon or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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.