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

Should you visit York or Quito?

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

Should I visit York 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: York or Quito?

York

York, in North Yorkshire, England, is a city rich in history that dates back to before Roman times. It is an ancient cathedral city that still has some impressive historical buildings that make it easily worth a visit. It has some of the best preserved buildings and structures in all of Europe, so if you're a history buff, then this is the place to be. It is usually tied with Manchester as the second most visited city in England, after London.

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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or York?

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 York is $175, 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 York and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    York $79
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    York $158
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in York and Quito

Looking for a hotel in York 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 York


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: York Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    York $16
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in York

Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:

  • Private Transfer from Hambleton to Manchester Airport (MAN): $175

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:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Quito hotels to Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • 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
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
  • Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
  • Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
  • Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into York or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and York 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
    York $75
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in York

Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:


  • Dinner
    $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in York

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

  • Party Cruise with Drink, Dinner, and DJ: $64
  • York on a Fork Food Tour: $103
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $108
  • York 'Hidden Gems' Food Tour: $110

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
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
  • Quito Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
  • 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 with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Private Famous Food Tour of Historic Old Town in Quito: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    York $15
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in York

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:

  • York Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.18
  • History and Hauntings Self Guided Walking Tour in York with App: $8.99
  • Europe’s Most Haunted City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of York: $9.99
  • York’s Dark Journey: A Self-Guided Tour of its Medieval Horrors: $12
  • York Ghost Adventure: A Self-Guided Paranormal Tour: $12
  • York’s Haunted Pubs: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • The Ghost Quest Citywide Puzzle Adventure in York: $14
  • Battlements of History: A Self-Guided Tour of York's City Walls: $15
  • Yorkshire Dales Self Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Nidderdale Driving Tour with an APP: $15
  • J & M York City Walking Tours: $16
  • Wizard Walk of York Tour - Magic, Comedy & Family Fun: $16

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 Free walking tour English small group Cacao Taste!: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town English tour small groups Cacao Taste!: $5.00
  • Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
  • Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.94
  • Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $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
  • Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30

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

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:


  • A Couple Beers
    $12

Sample the Local Flavors in York

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:

  • York Historic Pub Walking Tour: $11
  • Historical Pub Walking Tour in York: $11
  • Hooting Owl Distillery Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting: $49
  • Hooting Owl Distillery York - Distillery Tour & Gin Tasting: $50
  • Gin Tasting Experience at York Distillery: $54
  • York Private Historical Pub Tour with Free Drinks: $206

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

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


Which is Bigger, York or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of York. When comparing the sizes of York 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.