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

Should you visit Marseille or Quito?

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

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

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France and is the largest Mediterranean port in the region. For visitors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse at France. It has many colorful markets, natural beauty such as the Calanques with its large, beautiful cliffs, and the old harbor area, which offers a glimpse at the areas working class history.

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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Marseille?

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 Marseille is $207, 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 Marseille and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marseille $82
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marseille $164
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Marseille and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Marseille 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 Marseille


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: Marseille Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marseille $33
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    $3.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cruise Port ↔ Marseille Provence Airport Transfer: $111
  • DE Marseille - Avignon airport transfer service: $240
  • Departure Transfer: Marseille to MRS Airport in Business Car: $116
  • Marseille Airport (MRS) to Avignon - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
  • Marseille Airport (MRS) to Marseille Port - Round-Trip Transfer: $180
  • Marseille Airport (MRS): Transfer to Marseille Cruise Port: $223
  • Marseille Airport Transfer to Cruise Port: $164
  • Marseille Airport Transfer to St Rémy de Provence: $244
  • Marseille Airport Transfer: Private Chauffeur Service: $92
  • Marseille Airport to Aix en Provence Hotel: Private Transfers: $41
  • Marseille Airport transfer for Cassis hotel and apartment: $70
  • Marseille Airport(MRS) to Marseille Port-Arrival Private Transfer: $90

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:

  • Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $43
  • Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $30
  • Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
  • 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: $130
  • Transfer Airport → Quito (one way / round trip): $50
  • Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
  • Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
  • Panoramic City Tour & Airport Departure Transfer: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Marseille 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
    Marseille $85
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    $2.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Marseille Food Tour – Full Meal of Local Tastes by Do Eat Better: $86
  • Marseille Guided Food Tour with 10 Locals Favorites Tastings: $111
  • Aix-en-Provence 3-Hour Walking Food Tour: $128
  • Private Food Tour in Marseille 3 Hours with a local expert.: $150

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
  • 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
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $100
  • Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Marseille $44
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Marseille Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.73
  • TOP Marseille : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.83
  • Marseille Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Aubagne Audio guided walking tour 1h00 and 18 audio comments: $6.88
  • Marseille Audioguided Walking Tour 3h and 24 audio commentary: $6.88
  • Marseille Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.32
  • Marseille Old Port to Peak Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
  • entry ticket to the Sky Center panoramic terrace: $17
  • Château D’If Entry Ticket: $17
  • Self-Guided Secrets of Marseille Exploration Game Tour: $23
  • Cosquer Cave Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $29
  • Vintage Guided Tour of Marseille: $41

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:

  • “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
  • 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 in Chimborazo: Hiking and Ascent from Quito: $160
  • All-Inclusive Private Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito: $220
  • Amazon Adventure: 4 Days of Nature & Culture from Quito: $1,770
  • Andean Adventure : Riding and Cotopaxi Refuge: $140
  • Antisana Birding Tours to see CONDORS - by Richard Hernandez: $185
  • Antisana Condor Tour from Quito: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marseille $31
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Tailored Wine Tasting Experience in a Top Wine Shop: $84
  • Short Day Tour around Aix en Provence and Wine Tasting: $140
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $176
  • From Marseille Cruise Port : Avignon & Wine Tasting: $185
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $197
  • Marseille Highlights & Wine Tasting Day Tour from Marseille: $197
  • Bandol & Cassis Rosé Wine Tour from Marseille: $204
  • Avignon and Côtes du Rhône Wine Tasting Tour: $209
  • Half Day Shared Cassis Tour with Wine Tasting: $210
  • From Marseille : Sidecar Wine Tour to Cassis and Bandol: $280
  • Cassis, Bandol, Le Castellet wine tour: Cliffs and Vineyards: $407
  • Marseille Vieux Port & Wine Tasting - Private Tour: $1,222

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


Which is Bigger, Marseille or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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.