Which place is cheaper, Quito or Madrid?
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 Madrid 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 Madrid 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: Madrid or Quito?
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
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 from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Madrid Prices
Spain PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid $181Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is $181, 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 Madrid and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid $87Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid $174Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Madrid 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: Madrid Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid $21Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid- Barajas Airport private transfer, Pick up.: $96
- Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $88
- Arrival Private Transfer from MAD Airport to Madrid in a Minibus: $177
- Arrival Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Avila City by Sedan: $283
- Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $97
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Van: $87
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid MAD Airport to Madrid by Luxury Car: $100
- Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Business Car: $81
- Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Luxury Van: $90
- Departure Private Transfer Madrid to MAD Airport in a Minibus: $169
- Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $85
- Departure Transfer from Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Private Car: $80
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:
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
- Panoramic City Tour & Airport Departure Transfer: $114
- Middle of the World Tour with Airport Transfer: $114
- Airport Transfer and City Highlights Tour: $114
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
- Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Transfer Airport → Quito (one way / round trip): $50
- Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Madrid 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 dayMadrid $66Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.25
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Ice Cream$3.37
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.68
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Madrid Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $50
- Madrid Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $56
- Madrid Street Food Tour with Local Tastings: $58
- Madrid Food Tour: Best Tapas, Churros & Market Sights by FLT: $67
- Madrid Paella Cooking Class with Unlimited Sangría: $69
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $73
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $74
- Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $90
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $90
- 100% Hands-on Cooking Class Paella Tapas Sangria in Madrid: $97
- Madrid Local Tapas & History Tour with Dinner: $98
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $102
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid $37Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only): $3.42
- Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $3.42
- Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Madrid: $3.42
- Madrid Monumental Tour: $3.42
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.43
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.57
- A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $5.00
- Where Cervantes Feuded: A Self-Guided Madrid Tour: $5.00
- Madrid Historical Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.71
- Madrid Old Town Self Guided Tour with Mobile App: $5.99
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
- 1-Day Adventure to the Andean Choco Experience the Forest: $125
- 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included: $280
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 2D private Tour from Quito visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $281
- 3-Day Adventure: Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, Jungle: $897
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- 3-Day Antisana & Amazon comunities, Caves, Baños Guided Tour: $734
- 6-Day Ecuador Heritage Tour: Art, Culture and Otavalo: $1,847
- Adventure and Relaxation in Baños de Agua Santa: $236
- All-Inclusive Private Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito: $220
- Amazon Adventure: 4 Days of Nature & Culture from Quito: $1,770
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid $22Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.62
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid Adventure bars with Open bar and VIP Club Entry: $14
- Madrid Pub Crawl: VIP Entry & Shots, Games (Kapital, Fitz, Shoko): $14
- Madrid Pub Crawl: Club Entry, Bars & Shots: $19
- Spanish Wine Tasting Overlooking Parque del Oeste: $25
- Madrid Pub Crawl: $28
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid: $34
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $53
- Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $74
- Toledo Tour & Vineyard Experience with Wine Tasting from Madrid: $86
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $89
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 Madrid and Quito, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Quito?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Madrid 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.