Which place is cheaper, Crete or Quito?
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 Quito or Crete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Crete? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Quito or Crete?
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.
Crete
The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete has become a frequent vacation destination for many visitors. The terrain of the place is quite varied - very mountainous stretching east to west, with lush valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, and famous caves like Idaion, the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The surrounding smaller islands and beaches are key attractions as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesCrete Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Crete $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Crete is $169. 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 Quito and Crete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Crete $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Crete $128
Compare Hotels in Quito and Crete
Looking for a hotel in Quito or Crete? 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: Quito Hotel Prices and Crete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Crete $56
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 Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
- Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $46
- Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $124
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $95
- Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Quito City to Quito Airport UIO: $134
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
- Private Transfer Quito: $40
- Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:
- Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $34
- Airports/ports Transfers from /to Rethymno (one way): $168
- Balos Lagoon with Transfer from Rethymnon: $81
- Chania Airport Transfer to or from Platanias Agia Marina and more: $90
- Chania Magic City Tour and Kournas Lake with Transfers and Snack: $78
- Crete : Samaria Easy way Gorge from Sfakia with Private Transfer: $249
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Chania to Sfakia: $144
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Elounda: $135
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Panormo: $113
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Kalyves to Heraklion: $236
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $56
- Crete Private Transfer to or from Ports Airports Hotels Villas: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Crete?
Prices for flights to both Crete and Quito 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 dayQuito $34Crete $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.
- Traditional Cretan Night: Live Show and Dinner: $33
- Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $34
- Troy Dinner-Show: $36
- Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $66
- Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $78
- Heraklion: Finikia Horse Riding Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $81
- The Delicious Chania Street Food Tour : $96
- Half Day Sunset Tour in Rethymno with Dinner and Wine: $101
- Chania Walking Food Tours Crete with a local!: $101
- Sightseeing Day Trip with Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $102
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $105
- Chania: Evening Feasts A Journey through Cretan Flavors Food Tour: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Crete $29
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!: $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
Tours and Activities in Crete
Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chania Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.57
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $9.58
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum Ticket & Audio Guide: $19
- Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide: $20
- Chersonissos: Mini-Train City Highlights Tour: $21
- Heraklion Museum Ticket and City Audio Tour: $22
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $22
- Heraklion: Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *SKIP The Line: $22
- Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet: $22
- Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour: $23
- Heraklion: Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour: $23
- Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Crete $26
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Crete
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:
- Local Wine Tasting & Visit to the Ancient Olive Tree: $143
- Heraklion: Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with Wine Tastings: $150
- Ecobike-Knossos Palace-Wine tasting-Olive oil tasting: $180
- Cave and Cretan Brewery tour with lunch: $186
- PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier: $192
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $198
- Gastronomy tour and wine tasting in traditional villages : $216
- Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $237
- From Elounda Private Heraklion Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $251
- Private Wine Tour: $270
- From Heraklion: Villages and Vines A Scenic Wine Tasting Journey: $289
- Private Knossos Skip The Line Tour inc. lunch & wine tasting: $337
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Crete, we can see that Crete is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quito is in South America and Crete is in Europe, 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 Crete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Crete 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 Quito Expensive? and Is Crete Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Quito or Crete?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Crete. When comparing the sizes of Quito and Crete, 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.