Which place is cheaper, Quito or Tromso?
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 Tromso 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 Tromso 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: Tromso or Quito?
Tromso
The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Norway, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Tromso Prices
Norway PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTromso $83Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Tromso is $83, 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 Tromso and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTromso $32Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTromso $64Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Tromso and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Tromso 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: Tromso Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tromso $11Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tromso
Also for Tromso, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Tromso Airport and City Vice Versa: $93
- Tromsø Private Airport-Hotel Transfer Service up to 13 guests: $45
- Tromso Cable Car Arctic Panorama Transfer: $123
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:
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Quito City to Quito Airport UIO: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $124
- Quito Airport Private Transfer Service: $112
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $95
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Private transfer to Mindo: $70
- Transfer to Mashpi Amagusa Reserve one way : $69
- Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito : $60
- Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
- Private Transfers / Discover Mindo: Full Day of Adventure Tour: $55
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Airport Transfer- Hotel in Quito 1 Way: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Tromso or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Tromso 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 dayTromso $43Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso
For Tromso, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hours Private Walking Food Tour in Norway: $185
- Reindeer Camp Dinner with Chance of Northern Lights in Tromso: $201
- Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights: $205
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.Tromso $6.59Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Tromso
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tromso.
- Cod Tasting experience, Norwegian history and Food culture: $61
- Mid-Day Polar Expedition Cruise Tour: $82
- Tromsø: Northern Lights Adventure with Free Photos: $86
- 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $92
- 4 Hour Aurora Tour Photos Snacks and Warm Drinks Included: $98
- 7 hours Tromsø Aurora Tour: Photos, snacks & warm drinks included: $98
- Northern Lights Walking Tour: $123
- Northern Lights Tour in Tromso : $123
- Express Fjord Road trip with Cruise Ship Pick up and Drop off: $129
- Tromsø: Kvaløya & Sommarøy Guided Fjord Tour with Lunch: $131
- Aurora tour: $134
- Arctic fjord and Landscape Tour: $139
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:
- A Full-Day Private Adventure Antisana Andean Volcano: $100
- The best of Quito walking tour: $281
- biking/ rolling/ walking Quito Old Town Tour - Private Tours: $75
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- All Inclusive Mindo Cloud Forest in a Private Full Day Tour: $130
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $198
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $120
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Baños Adventure Full Day Trip from Quito: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTromso $5.47Quito $17
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 Tromso and Quito, we can see that Tromso is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tromso 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 Tromso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tromso 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 Tromso Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tromso or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Tromso 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.