Which place is cheaper, Quito or Seoul?
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 Seoul or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Quito can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Quito?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $135Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $135, 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 Seoul and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $57Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $114Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $16Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.78
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Short Taxi Ride$5.29
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Metro Ride$1.02
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Incheon Airport Transfer service pick up drop off Seoul ~7 Pax: $89
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Lotte World Theme Park Private Transfer: $244
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport Seoul (1-5 people): $103
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon to/from Seoul (up to 7 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport → Hotel in the City: $125
- Private Airport Transfer:Seoul City Incheon ⇄ ICN Airport: $150
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 Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Transfer in & out of the airport in Quito: $20
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Quito hotels to Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Seoul 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 daySeoul $54Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.53
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Waffle$0.76
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Dippin' Dots$1.51
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Chicken Fried Rice$4.16
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Chicken Stick$1.51
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.44
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Lunch Buffet$4.53
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Donut$0.76
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Mushroom Burger$3.93
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.49
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Udon & Sushi$5.29
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Fresh Burger$3.63
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.40
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.78
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Fried Rice$4.16
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Vietnamese Dinner$7.18
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$7.18
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Donut$1.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- North Korean Cooking Class with Defector: Food & Personal Stories: $60
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- 2-Hour Seoul Street Food Tour: Gwangjang Market’s Must-Try Bites: $68
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
- Dinner at a Local's Hanok & Seoul's Night Life: $69
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $69
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: $25
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- 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
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $28Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$6.04
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Movie Ticket$6.04
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Kimchi Museum$2.27
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Seoul Ghost Tour: Self-Guided Haunted Walk: $5.69
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Web Guide and Room Escape Tour Ticket: $7.30
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.60
- Youngjaegugakhoe The Concert of Korean Music Prodigies Ticket: $9.30
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul Walking Tour with Audioguide: $11
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $13
- Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
- Changdeokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
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 Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $9.02
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- 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
- La Mariscal and La Floresta Walking Tour: $30
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Walking tour of art, history, flavors and traditions: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $13Quito $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Seoul Pub Crawl Official: $22
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $47
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with VIP Bottle Service: $57
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- Seoul Chunpoong Brewery: Korea’s Finest Liquor Tour: $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
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Quito, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Quito?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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.