Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Koh Phi Phi $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $91. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Koh Phi Phi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Koh Phi Phi $94
Compare Hotels in Quito and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Quito or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Koh Phi Phi $7.53
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:
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
- Private Transfer: Quito Airport (UIO) to Baños de Agua Santa: $160
- Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $137
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
- Panoramic City Tour & Airport Departure Transfer: $114
- Middle of the World Tour with Airport Transfer: $114
- Airport Transfer and City Highlights Tour: $114
- Transfer to Mashpi Amagusa Reserve one way: $109
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
- Transfer Quito → Papallacta (one way / round trip): $85
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
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Longboat Taxi$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $70
- Ferry Transfer from Krabi Klong Jilad Pier to Phi Phi Tonsai: $14
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $47
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $42
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $26
- Phi Phi to Koh Samui Smooth Transfer by Speedboat Bus Catamaran: $70
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $88
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $37
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $34Koh Phi Phi $22
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
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- Quito Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
- 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 with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
- Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.79
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Sit Down Lunch$10
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Casual Lunch$6.26
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Coconut Donut$0.30
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Koh Phi Phi $50
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:
- “Adventure in Baths: Waterfalls, End of the World Swing and More”: $190
- 2 Day Quito to Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Tour with Accommodation: $281
- 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
- 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 Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $210
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$8.95
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $19
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $19
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $20
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $21
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $23
- Phi Phi Half Day Longtail Boat Tour to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $23
- From Phi Phi: Morning/Afternoon Phi Phi Island Tour Longtail Boat: $23
- Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $24
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Koh Phi Phi $6.18
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$5.97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi is in Asia, 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Koh Phi Phi?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 1400 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Quito and Koh Phi Phi, 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.