Which place is cheaper, Quito or Alesund?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Alesund or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alesund 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: Alesund or Quito?
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
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 Norway, The Best Contiki Tours to Norway, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
-
Alesund Prices
Norway PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlesund $133Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Alesund is $133, 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 Alesund and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlesund $58Quito $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlesund $116Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Alesund and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Alesund 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.
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: Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alesund $28Quito $6.99
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 Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- 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
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $36
- Transfer In from Quito's Airport to the city: $39
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39
- Transfers Friends Airport Quito: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Alesund or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Alesund 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 dayAlesund $57Quito $34
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
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Chef: $85
- 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 after-dark street food tour : $100
- Quito Private Best Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $114
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $149
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alesund $18Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- The Essence of Ålesund Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $46
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $61
- Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $71
- Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $71
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $112
- Guided Adventure on Fjord Kayaking in Hellesylt, Norway: $124
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $133
- Sightseeing Tour in Trollstigen - Land of Trolls: $134
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $137
- Kayak tour in Molde: $144
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Boat and Bus from Ålesund: $165
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 Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $23
- Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
- Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $35
- Quito Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Mitad del Mundo daily tour Hop On - hop off: $35
- Experiential Walking tour in Quito's Old Town : $36
- Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
- Half-Day Market and Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tour in Quito: $40
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlesund $13Quito $17
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 Alesund and Quito, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alesund 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 Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund 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 Alesund Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alesund or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Alesund 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.