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

Should you visit Valencia or Quito?

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

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

Valencia

Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Valencia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Valencia is $171, 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 Valencia and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valencia $65
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valencia $130
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Valencia and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Valencia 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 Valencia


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: Valencia Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valencia $20
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Valencia Port to Valencia City by Van: $47
  • Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Sedan: $41
  • Barcelona to Montserrat Monastery: Tour, Transfers & Basilica: $43
  • Departure Private Transfer Montserrat to Barcelona Airport or City by Luxury Van: $184
  • Private Airport Transfer: Valencia Airport (VLC) → Valencia: $58
  • Private Transfer from Callosa d'en Sarria to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $209
  • Private Transfer from Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Valencia Hotels to Valencia Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Valencia Port to Valencia Airport (VLC): $55
  • Private Transfer: Valencia to VLC Airport in Business Car: $84
  • Private Transfer: Valencia to Valencia Airport VLC in Luxury Van: $95
  • Private Valencia Transfer: Central Valencia to Cruise Port or Valencia Airport: $72

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:

  • 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 Valencia or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Valencia 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
    Valencia $79
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia

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

  • Dinner with flamenco in Valencia: $63
  • Valencia Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $67
  • Make Valencian 'Pizza' in Ruzafa: $69
  • Authentic Paella Dinner in Valencia: $70
  • Live the Valencian Experience Cooking Your Own Paella: $74
  • Real Paella Cooking Class – Market Visit & Sangría Workshop: $74
  • Paella cooking class: Sangria workshop, Tapas & Wine – evening: $74
  • Paella cooking class - Local Market tour, Tapas & Wine: $74
  • Seafood Paella cooking class Sangria workshop & Local Market: $74
  • Valencia Morning Food Tour with Central Market by Food Lover Tour: $74
  • Paella Cooking Class, Wine Tasting & Central Market in Valencia: $80
  • Valencia Centre Food Tour with 9+ Tastings of Regional Delicacies: $112

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valencia $33
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia

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


  • Flamenco Tour
    $18

Tours and Activities in Valencia

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

  • Self-Guided Tours in Valencia with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.41
  • Valencia Self Guided Digital Tour with Interactive Map: $3.41
  • Valencia Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.43
  • Experience Valencia’s Historical Heart: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Valencia Iconic Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.71
  • TOP Valencia : Private guided tour with your mobile: $5.71
  • Valencia Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.81
  • Valencia Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Valencia Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 26 Audio Commentaries: $6.74
  • Myths and Truths Self Guided Walking Tour of Valencia: $8.99
  • Valencia Monumental Tour: $9.13
  • Valencia Walking Tour with Audio Guide on your Smartphone: $11

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:

  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valencia $23
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia

Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Tour in Valencia: $22
  • Wine tasting with 3 Valencia wines in the Valencia Wine Control Council: $29
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Valencia’s Old Town: $45
  • Wine Tasting Experience with a Professional Sommelier in Valencia City Center: $71
  • Private premium wine tasting with snacks in Valencia's old town: $76
  • Valencia Old Town Tour with Wine Tasting in 13th Century Cellar: $79
  • Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $159
  • Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $171
  • Horseback riding and wine tour (private tour): $171
  • Private Wine Tour with Wine Tasting and Full Lunch (day trip): $188

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


Which is Bigger, Valencia or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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.