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 $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Crete is $165. 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 $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Crete $126
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Crete $54
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:
- Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $137
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
- Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $65
- Private Transfer Quito: $40
- Private Transfer from Quito Airport to Hotels in Quito: $70
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
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): $163
- Balos & Gramvousa: Cruise with Meals, Drinks & Transfer: $181
- Balos Lagoon with Transfer from Rethymnon: $82
- Beginner's SSI Intro dive w/2 Dives & transfer: $163
- Chania Magic City Tour and Kournas Lake with Transfers and Snack: $79
- Crete : Samaria Easy way Gorge from Sfakia with Private Transfer: $243
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer Georgioupoli to Heraklion: $171
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Chania Airport to Rethymno: $257
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Chania to Sfakia: $140
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Elounda: $132
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Malia: $86
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 $67
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: $12
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- 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
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $100
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: $41
- Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers: $66
- Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $66
- Plate smashing | Greek Night with Dancing & Buffet Dinner: $68
- Rethymno: Cretan Night with Dinner and Live Music, LOCAL GUIDE: $70
- Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $76
- Heraklion: Finikia Horse Riding Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $81
- Rethymno Old Town Walking Food Tour Local Market Visit Tastings: $87
- Amazing Sunset Jeep Safari Route with Dinner: $91
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Crete $28
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 English Free Walking tour Cacao taste Small group: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.88
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
- Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
- Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- La Mariscal and La Floresta Walking Tour: $30
Tours and Activities in Crete
Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chania Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.15
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $17
- 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
- Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno: $21
- Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour: $22
- Heraklion: Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *SKIP The Line: $22
- Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet: $22
- Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
- Heraklion: Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour: $23
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Crete $25
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 Crete
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:
- From Chania:Elafonissi Beach Day Trip, Elos, Honey & Wine Tasting: $33
- Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour From Chania: $42
- Authentic Crete Farm & Wine Tasting Experience from Heraklion: $50
- Crete Food & Wine Tour: Olive Oil, Cheese & Wine Tasting: $54
- Jeep Tour to Archanes with Wine tasting & Lunch: $111
- Heraklion Ecobike Tour & Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $122
- PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier: $187
- Full Day - Ecobike - Discover old villages & Wine tasting: $204
- E-Bike Tour - Knossos Olive Oil Farm to Winery Wine Tasting: $204
- Gastronomy tour and wine tasting in traditional villages: $210
- Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch: $262
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.