Which place is cheaper, Quito or Malaga?
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 Malaga or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Quito. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Quito?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Malaga Prices
Spain PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga $192Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is $192, 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 Malaga and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga $87Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga $174Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga $36Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Business Car: $64
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Car: $79
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Marbella by Luxury Van: $218
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $64
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Car: $79
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $70
- Alegria Flamenco in Malaga, with Transfer, Cocktail and Premium Location: $87
- Arrival Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Business Car: $58
- Benalmadena: AGP Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $59
- Economy Transfer from Malaga Airport to Nerja: $142
- From Luxury Higuerón Spa with Tesla X Transfer: $163
- Málaga-Costa Airport (AGP): Transfer to Malaga Cruise Port: $119
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:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- 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
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $30
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Malaga 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 dayMalaga $70Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2$35
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Dinner for 2$51
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Breakfast for 2$9.31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Authentic Flamenco Dinner Show at Restaurant VinoMio: $17
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $37
- Málaga: Morning Guided Food Tour: $75
- Malaga -Italian cooking class : La domenica italiana: $76
- Japanese cooking class Sushi: $76
- Authentic Paella Cooking Class with Sangría: $77
- Málaga: Spanish Cooking Workshop with Paella and Sangria: $77
- Paella Cooking Class with English Guide in Malaga: $83
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $83
- Food Tour with Local Guide, Tapas, and Drinks: $83
- Pedregalejo Food Tour: Explore Malaga's most iconic quarter: $86
- Málaga: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops Small Group Food Tour: $93
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.Malaga $36Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos$8.26
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Concert$36
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Honey Museum Entry Ticket: $2.91
- Alcazaba to Picasso: Málaga’s Best in a Self-Guided Tour: $3.53
- Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.72
- Picasso's Puzzle Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.00
- Malaga's historic center: A self-guided tour created by a local official guide: $5.82
- Alcazaba de Málaga: Ticket and Self-Guided Tour created by an Official Guide: $5.82
- Malaga Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.90
- Malaga Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Malaga City Center's Architecture: A Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket: $11
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $11
- Málaga: Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket & City Audio Guide: $11
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 dayMalaga $26Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Málaga: Pub Crawl Málaga Madness: $14
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $19
- Bodegas Quitapenas: Guided Visit + Wine Tasting: $22
- Torremolinos Gay Pub Crawl & Nightclub Experience: $35
- Conrad Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting in Ronda: $41
- Malaga Food & Wine Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $65
- C/Echegaray 5 Málaga center: Malagueño Massage: Massage + Wine Tasting: $68
- Winederlust Wine Tasting: $71
- Málaga: Traditional Andalusian Tapas and Wine Tour: $72
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and tapas included: $92
- Flamenco, Tapas, and Wine Tour: $104
- White Village, Vineyard, and Wine Tasting Wine Tour: $105
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 Malaga and Quito, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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.