Which place is cheaper, Quito or Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Palermo or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Quito can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Palermo or Quito?
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Palermo Prices
Italy PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPalermo $134Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is $134, 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 Palermo and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPalermo $66Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPalermo $132Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Palermo 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: Palermo Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Palermo $6.62Quito $6.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
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Bus to Monreale$3.52
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Bus From Airport$7.04
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90 Minute Bus Pass$1.53
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Short Taxi Ride$5.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Business Car: $106
- Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Luxury Van: $118
- CO2-Offset Arrival Private Transfer Palermo Airport to Palermo : $76
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo City: $61
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo : $76
- CO2-Offset Departure Transfer Palermo City to Palermo Airport : $76
- Eurostars Centrale Palace - Palermo Airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $48
- Grand Hotel Wagner to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $60
- Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $120
- Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
- Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port- Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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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 Palermo or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Palermo 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
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Food Meals for one dayPalermo $59Quito $34
Typical Food Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$38
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Fast Food Lunch$6.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
- Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
- Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
- Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
- Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
- Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
- Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
- Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
- Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Palermo $20Quito $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
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Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)$7.04
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Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)$14
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Theater Tickets (for Two)$58
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- Palermo Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.77
- Skip the Line in Museum of Marionette Antonio Pasqualino: $10
- Zisa Palace Entry Ticket: $18
- Palatine Chapel Entry Ticket, Audio App & optional Norman Palace: $30
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
- Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily: $39
- Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
- Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
- Palermo : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $54
- Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food: $54
- Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty: $83
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPalermo $13Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
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Beer$3.00
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Bottle of Quality Wine$13
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
- Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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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 Palermo and Quito, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palermo 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Palermo or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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.