Is Quito Expensive?

Is Quito expensive to visit?

Quito is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $52, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a moderately priced destination. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in South America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Bogota and Sao Paulo.



La Ronda, Quito, Ecuador

How expensive is Quito?

The average cost of traveling to Quito can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $52 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Quito here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Quito?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Quito will cost around $155 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $310.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Quito?

On average, a one week trip to Quito costs about $362 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $724.

Is it expensive to backpack in Quito?

Quito is a popular backpacker destination with more than 30 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $10 per night. (See hostel prices in Quito here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $19 and the cheapest around $5 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Quito.

  • $8 for a dorm bed at The Secret Garden Quito
  • $6 for a dorm bed at Community Hostel
  • $10 for a dorm bed at Vibes Aurik

Are hotels expensive in Quito?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Quito, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $42 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 8 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $123 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $49 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $21 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Quito
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 8 $123
4 stars 16 $110
3 stars 92 $49
2 stars 56 $21
1 star 21 $33
No rating 2 $9

Calle Esmeraldas Oe3-30 y Guayaquil, Quito
Overall Rating 9.8
Avenida Orellana 1172 Y Avenida Amazonas, Quito
Overall Rating 9.0

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Quito?

Activities and things to do in Quito can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $16 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $21.

    • COTOPAXI Full Day Tour - horseback ride & hike-NO TOURISTY way in: $135
    • Relaxation around Quito? Papallacta's Termal Springs Private Tour: $84
    • Let me show you Quito! Complete Private City Tour: $71
    • Cotopaxi and Banos Tour - Full Day from Quito: $87
    • Half-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Old Town Quito: $89
    • Tour to Otavalo Cotacachi Cuicocha Peguche: $95
    • Cotopaxi Horseback Riding Tour: $199
    • Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $14

    Is food expensive in Quito?

    Food in Quito can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $20 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $19. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
    • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
    • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
    • Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $235
    • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
    • Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer: $92

    Is transportation expensive in Quito?

    The prices of local transportation in Quito can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $7 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $10. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Quito

    If you're planning a trip to Quito, Ecuador, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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