Which place is cheaper, Quito or Osaka?
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 Osaka or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka 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: Osaka or Quito?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Osaka Prices
Japan PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $110Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $110, 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 Osaka and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $48Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $96Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $73
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Osaka to Osaka International Airport (ITM): $150
- Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $71
- Kansai Airport（KIX） to or from Osaka Kyoto Private Transfer: $63
- Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX) Private Transfer to/from Osaka: $80
- Osaka : Private One-way Transfers to/from Kansai Airport(KIX): $59
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
- Osaka Airport ITM to Arima Onsen Resorts Arrival Transfer: $111
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $259
- Osaka International Airport (ITM) Private Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $46
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 Friends Airport Quito: $40
- Transfer to Mashpi Amagusa Reserve one way : $69
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer In from Quito's Airport to the city: $39
- Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel with bilingual driver: $43
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Osaka 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 dayOsaka $45Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
- Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
- Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
- 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69
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
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Chef: $85
- 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 after-dark street food tour : $100
- Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $21Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$31
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM Live Show & Nightclub Admission Tickets: $6.95
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.95
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.95
- HEP Ferris Wheel Osaka Entry Ticket: $11
- Osaka Oracle GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $14
- Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower Ticket: $14
- Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory ETicket: $14
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Admission Ticket: $15
- Osaka Castle Admission Ticket: $15
- Osaka Castle Ticket: $17
- Nara Shared Tour with Crafts Class: $21
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:
- A Full-Day Private Adventure Antisana Andean Volcano: $100
- The best of Quito walking tour: $281
- biking/ rolling/ walking Quito Old Town Tour - Private Tours: $75
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- All Inclusive Mindo Cloud Forest in a Private Full Day Tour: $130
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $198
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $120
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Baños Adventure Full Day Trip from Quito: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $12Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56
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
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 Osaka and Quito, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Quito?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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.