Which place is cheaper, Quito or Saint John's?
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 Saint John's or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Quito? 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: Saint John's or Quito?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, 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 Saint John's and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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: Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $132
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer: $109
- Antigua Airport (ANU) to Antigua - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Antigua&Barbuda to Antigua&Barbuda Airport(ANU) Private Transfer: $46
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Crown and Key Private Transfers: $100
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer - 8:15am): $89
- Discover the Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour - Eagle Transfers: $125
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
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
- Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Premium Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel: $63
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $59
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $42
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $117Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Local Antigua Rum and Food Tour: $130
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $65
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $65
- North Coast Tour: $65
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience: $66
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $73
- Antigua Harbour Bus Tour Experience: $75
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- English Harbour with CulinaryATE Tours: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Historic Museum with CulinaryATE Tours: $90
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 Small group: $1.00
- Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Small group Cacao Taste included: $1.00
- Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Quito Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $34
- Half day tour - Old Town of Quito - Ecuador: $35
- Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
- Experiential Walking tour in Quito's Old Town: $40
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
- Hidden Quito Private Tour: Culture, Food & Local Secrets: $40
- Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Quito $17
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 Saint John's and Quito, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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.