Which place is cheaper, Quito or Rome?
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 Rome or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Quito can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rome or Quito?
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Rome Prices
Italy PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome $232Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $232, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Rome and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome $101Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome $202Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Rome and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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: Rome Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome $24Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)$2.25
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Train to the Airport$17
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Taxi to Airport$51
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- “Skip the Taxi Line : Private FCO ↔ Rome Transfer with Pro Driver”: $51
- Airport Transfer from Fiumicino to Rome City (or viceversa): $123
- Airport Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome by Business Car: $94
- Airport Transfer: Rome to Ciampino Airport CIA by Business Car: $94
- Airport Transfer: Rome to Ciampino Airport CIA by Luxury Van: $102
- Airport Transfers Rome Centre to and from Fiumicino and Ciampino: $63
- Airport to Rome Private Transfer: $240
- Airport transfer from (FCO) to Port or viceversa: $246
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rome Train Station to Rome City: $56
- Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $114
- Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Luxury Car: $149
- Bus Transfer from Civitavecchia Cruise Port to Rome Airport: $52
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:
- 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
- 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 Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Rome 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 dayRome $94Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$16
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.36
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Cafe e doce$4.49
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Pizza (Fast Food)$2.98
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$36
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Cheese and bread$11
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Espresso$2.25
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Dinner$65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Rome Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
- Rome Pasta & Tiramisu Making Class & Fine Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
- Rome Small Group Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $43
- Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour - Eat Like a Local: $45
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
- Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
- Authentic Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
- Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
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: $15
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- 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
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome $41Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$77
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$37
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Roma Pass$34
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$22
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Segway Tour$84
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.42
- Rome Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome: $4.00
- Hidden Treasures — A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.56
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $4.56
- Historical Walking Tour in Rome City Center with Hidden Gems: $4.57
- Experience Rome Trevi Fountain with Ticket: $4.57
- Highlights of Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Walking Tour: $4.57
- Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Walking Tour: $4.57
- Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.57
- Tour of Rome to Visit the Most Iconic Monuments: $5.00
- Rome:Pantheon Entry Ticket with Hosted Experience and Audio Guide: $5.37
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 tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Saturday Night tour! Basilica del Voto Nacional exclusive tour: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.74
- 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
- Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $29
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Quito Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome $20Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Pint of Beer$7.12
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Beer$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Unique Wine Tasting in Enoteca in Rome San Pietro Area: $32
- Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar: $36
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $46
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $51
- Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $55
- Vatican Wine Tasting Italian Wines e Food with a Sommelier: $56
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $63
- Rome Nightlife Party Tour Monti Bar Crawl and Local Drinks: $65
- Rome Night Tipsy Tour & Bar Crawl with Forbidden History: $67
- Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $79
- The greatest wine tour of Rome: $80
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Quito, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or Quito?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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.