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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Quito?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya 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: Ayutthaya or Quito?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

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 Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Ayutthaya?

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 Ayutthaya is $86, 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 Ayutthaya and Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ayutthaya $24
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ayutthaya $48
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya


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: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ayutthaya $29
    Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • River Ferry Crossing
    $0.63

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 Ayutthaya or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito and Ayutthaya 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
    Ayutthaya $39
    Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya

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


  • Lunch for 2
    $4.40
  • Ice Cream
    $0.94
  • Breakfast for 2
    $4.40
  • Breakfast for 2
    $11

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.
    Ayutthaya $31
    Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Temple Entrances (2)
    $6.28
  • Wat Entrance
    $1.57

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 day
    Ayutthaya $21
    Quito $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 Ayutthaya and Quito, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Quito?

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