A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Quito for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sydney or Quito?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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: Sydney or Quito?

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

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 Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Sydney?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $278, 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 Sydney and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $104
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $208
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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.

Hotels in Sydney


Hotels in Quito


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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Business Car: $103
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $114
  • Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $198
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $98
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $114
  • Family Sydney Airport Departure Transfer: $86
  • From Sydney Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Sydney: $67
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195

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:

  • Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $55
  • Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito: $34
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $119
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $145
  • Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel : $25
  • Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
  • Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
  • Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $25
  • Private Transfer from Quito to Baños or Baños to Quito (one way): $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Sydney 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 day
    Sydney $45
    Quito $20
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.64
  • Lunch Special
    $9.91
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.91
  • Meat Pies
    $3.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
  • Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59

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.
    Sydney $32
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $30
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $126
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.94

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $17
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $17

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:

  • Skip the Line: La Compañia Church Admission Ticket: $5.50
  • Skip the Line: Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamin's Museum Ticket: $10
  • Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $14
  • 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at La Ronda Street: $15
  • Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
  • Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $19
  • Quito at Night & Urban Legends Tour : $20
  • 1914 Original Trolley City Tour: $20
  • Pululuahua Reserve & Museo del Sol Tour - "Small Group": $20
  • Intiñan Museum Small-Group Tour: $25
  • Guided City Tour with Tastings and Box Lunch: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $122
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $145
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $149

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 Sydney and Quito, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Quito?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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.