Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Medellin? 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Medellin $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $29. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Medellin $4.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Medellin $9.28
Compare Hotels in Quito and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Quito or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Medellin $4.05
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
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $169
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Airport Transfers : $120
- Airport Transfers Medellín (per way): $50
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $137
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $132
- Arrival Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin by Minibus: $156
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $50
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
- Medellín Private Transfer from Medellín City to Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport: $48
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport : $30
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Medellín: José María Córdova Airport Private Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $34Medellin $16
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: $29
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $45
- Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $59
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- Ecuador Food Tour: $69
- 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: $89
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Laureles Food Tour: $35
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $55
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $60
- Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Medellin $12
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
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $32
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $32
- Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Middle of the World Tour with entrances every day: $35
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $35
- Original Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13: $8.00
- Shared Tour Poblado, Provenza & Manila Districts: $9.60
- Shared Tour Medellin's Violence & Post-conflict after Pablo: $9.60
- Shared Tour of Medellin's Historic & Cultural Downtown: $9.60
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and Local Guide: $11
- Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $11
- Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $11
- Comuna 13: Graffiti tour & Street Food/drink with telesferic: $11
- Medellín Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Medellín: Comuna 13 and Graffiti Walking Tour with Snacks: $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and ice cream : $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Medellin $7.04
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 Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Medellin Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks Games and VIP: $12
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $130
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Medellin, we can see that Quito is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Quito would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quito than you might in Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quito Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Quito and Medellin, 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.