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

Should you visit Zadar or Quito?

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

Should I visit Zadar 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: Zadar or Quito?

Zadar

You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.

The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.

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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Zadar?

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 Zadar is $129, 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 Zadar and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zadar $60
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zadar $120
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Zadar and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Zadar 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 Zadar


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: Zadar Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zadar $11
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:

  • Hiking experience on the Krupa River : incl. transfer & lunch: $154
  • Modern bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Zadar: $40
  • Privat transfer to Novalja: $157
  • Private Transfer from Biograd Na Moru to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $106
  • Private Transfer from Borik Zadar to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $67
  • Private Transfer from Starigrad Paklenica to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $199
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Šibenik: $286
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Biograd Na Moru: $74
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Borik Zadar: $67
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Murter: $286
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Novalja: $299
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Pag Island: $239

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:

  • Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
  • Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
  • Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel : $35
  • Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
  • Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Zadar or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Zadar 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
    Zadar $57
    Quito $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar

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

  • Morning Zadar Food Tour: $142
  • Preko Cooking Class and Shellfishing Experience with a Local: $190
  • Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $239

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

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

  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Ecuador Food Tour: $69
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour : $135
  • Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
  • Quito Food Tour Where my Family Go Urban Art New and Old Quito: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zadar $23
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Zadar

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

  • Local Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $12
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
  • Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour: $18
  • Zadar Old Town Walking Tour: $18
  • Zadar Walking Tour sponsored by Gligora Cheese and deli.: $18
  • Look Around Zadar - Don't Look Up: Cinematic and Musical Sunset Walking Tour: $19
  • Islands Tour in Zadar by Speedboat: $23
  • Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $24
  • Half Day Island Hopping Tour With Snorkeling : $24
  • The Ultimate Zadar Walking Tour: $24
  • 3 Island Tour Swim and Snorkel with Drinks on Traditional Boat: $24
  • Island half day tour : $25

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 Cacao taste included!: $1.00
  • Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
  • Half-Day Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
  • Quito Half Day PRIVATE City tour: $42
  • Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $42
  • Half Day Bike Tour Discovering Quito: $48
  • Fruit Tasting Experience with +15 Exotics Flavors of Ecuador: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zadar $14
    Quito $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar

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

  • Brlog Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting : $30
  • Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $42
  • Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $78
  • City Tour with Educational Beer Tour in Brlog Brewery: $94
  • City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $107

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


Which is Bigger, Zadar or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Zadar 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.