Which place is cheaper, Dallas or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quito or Dallas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Dallas? 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 Dallas?
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.
Dallas
Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $52Dallas $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $52, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $141. 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 Dallas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Dallas $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Dallas $168
Compare Hotels in Quito and Dallas
Looking for a hotel in Quito or Dallas? 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 Dallas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Dallas $28
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:
- Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
- Quito to Baños Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
- Quito to Cotopaxi in Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel : $25
- Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $25
- Transfer In / Out Quito: $25
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
- Allen or Plano to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $83
- Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $135
- Arrival Private Transfer: Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Business Car: $105
- Arrival Transfer: Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas by Luxury SUV: $128
- Dallas Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Dallas Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Dallas Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Dallas Airport (DFW) to Plano / Allen - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Private Transfer from/to hotels: $110
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Plano or Allen - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Dallas?
Prices for flights to both Dallas 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 $20Dallas $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $35
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Cooking class In-home space: $75
- Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $114
- Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
- Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $235
Typical Food Prices in Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
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Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)$55
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Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.
- West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
- Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
- Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
- Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Dallas $13
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:
- Skip the Line: La Compañia Church Admission Ticket: $5.50
- Skip the Line: Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamin's Museum Ticket: $10
- Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $14
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at La Ronda Street: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $19
- Pululuahua Reserve & Museo del Sol Tour - "Small Group": $20
- 1914 Original Trolley City Tour: $20
- Quito at Night & Urban Legends Tour : $20
- Intiñan Museum Small-Group Tour: $25
- Guided City Tour with Tastings and Box Lunch: $25
Tours and Activities in Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
- Historic Downtown Audio Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Historic Dallas Downtown Solo Self Guided Walking Tour : $7.75
- Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dallas: $9.59
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
- Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Dallas Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $14
- JFK Assassination Walking Tour (Self-Guided): $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Denton by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Plano by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- The Assassination of John F. Kennedy Experience: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Irving by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Dallas $12
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 Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Dallas Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
- Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Dallas, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas is in North 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas 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 Dallas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Dallas?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Quito and Dallas, 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.