Which place is cheaper, Quito or Rotterdam?
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 Rotterdam or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Quito. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Rotterdam or Quito?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Rotterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam $222Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is $222, 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 Rotterdam and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam $95Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam $190Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam $30Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madurodam: Train + tram transferring to/from Rotterdam: $10
- Private Direct Transfer From Rotterdam to Vlissingen cruise port: $224
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $267
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport: $183
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $183
- Private Transfer From Cruise Port Rotterdam to Schiphol Airport: $165
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $165
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $130
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam Port: $86
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $220
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $178
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $86
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
- 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
- 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
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Private Transfer from Quito Airport to Hotels in Quito: $70
- Transfer Airport → Quito (one way / round trip): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam $103Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza Cruise: $46
- Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Iconic Rotterdam Food Tour: 7 Local Dishes with a Guide: $84
- Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $87
- Rotterdam Walking Food Tour with 7 Delicious Tastings: $103
- Food Tour by Bike: $104
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $104
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $115
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $127
- Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $145
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $175
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
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- 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 in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and 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
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rotterdam $36Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Rotterdam 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.46
- Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.49
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.83
- Rotterdam Highlights & Spies: Exploration Game & Tour: $8.10
- Risen from Ruins Self Guided Tour of Rotterdam: $8.99
- Windmills and Dutch Ingenuity: A Kinderdijk Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- Delfshaven Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Rotterdam’s Old Town: $9.99
- Team Up for a Playful Tour of Rotterdam: $12
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese: $12
- From River to Metropolis: A Rotterdam City Self Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Rotterdam's Highlights and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Art, History and Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour: $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:
- 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 Volcano Condor Birdwatching Private Experience: $90
- Antisana Volcano Private Day Tour from Quito: $266
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Authentic Cloud Forest Experience: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam $22Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.31
- Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $26
- The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $52
- Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $576
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 Rotterdam and Quito, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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.