Which place is cheaper, Quito or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Reykjavik or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Quito, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Reykjavik or Quito?
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $246Quito $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $246, while the average daily cost in Quito is $52. 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 Reykjavik and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $139Quito $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $278Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik or Quito? 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $46Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hveragerdi to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Deparure Private Transfer: $68
- Airport Transfer (One way) between Keflavik and Reykjavik: $200
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $29
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $163
- Blue Lagoon One Way Transfer: $185
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $45
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $476
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $308
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
-
Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $29
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
- Transfers Friends Airport Quito: $40
- Transfer to Mashpi Reserve one way : $99
- Transfer in private vehicle from Quito City - Quito Airport (UIO): $38
- Transfer in or transfer out to Quito airport: $40
- Transfer in or out transportation from Mariscal airport to Quito: $40
- Transfer in and Transfer out: $75
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito City - Quito Airport (UIO): $53
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito Airport (UIO) - Quito City: $53
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $39
- Transfer In / Out Quito: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Reykjavik 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
-
Food Meals for one dayReykjavik $30Quito $20
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner (Fish Market)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $72Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Museum$11
-
Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Explore Reykjavik's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
- Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $18
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
- Was James Bond Icelandic? Ticket with One Hour Lecture: $23
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
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:
- Flavors, Colors and History of Quito Private Tour: $185
- Otavalo Market Private Sightseeing and Surroundings: $110
- Tour Full-Day Mercado de Otavalo + Cotacachi, Ecuador.: $130
- 2 Full Days Exploring The Ecuadorian Amazon | Tour Start In Quito: $268
- 2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon: $329
- 2-Day Private Tour to Otavalo Market, Cuicocha Lake, Peguche and Condor´s Park: $295
- 2-day Quilotoa Lagoon and the adventure city of Baños: $265
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- 3-Day Private Tour of Quito: $120
- 3-Days Andes & Amazon | Tour From Quito: $858
- 8 Hours Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito includes Lunch: $100
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $28Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
-
Beer$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
-
Beers for Two$9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Quito, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Quito is in South 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Quito, 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.