Is Quito expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No, Quito is one of the cheaper capitals in South America, and Ecuador uses the US dollar, which keeps prices simple. A budget day is about US$38 per person and a mid-range day about US$105. Hotels and restaurants add 15% VAT and often a 10% service charge, but food, buses and sights are inexpensive.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$15 | US$45 | US$120 |
| Food & drink | US$12 | US$30 | US$65 |
| Sights & tickets | US$8 | US$20 | US$50 |
| Local transport | US$3 | US$10 | US$30 |
| Per person, per day | US$38 | US$105 | US$265 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Quito day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Almuerzo (set lunch) in a local restaurant | about $3–5 |
| Canelazo and empanadas de viento | $2–3 |
| Trolebús or Metro ride | about $0.45 |
| La Compañía de Jesús church | about $6 |
| TelefériQo cable car (foreigners) | about $9–10 |
| Mitad del Mundo | about $5 |
| Mid-range dinner in La Floresta or the Old Town | $8–18 a main |
| Mid-range hotel double in the Old Town | roughly $50–100 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost, with boutique hotels in the Old Town and La Floresta offering good value. Food is cheap, especially the set almuerzo lunches, though restaurants add VAT and service charges. Sights are low-priced. The real costs come from trips beyond Quito: Otavalo, Cotopaxi and especially the Galápagos, which most visitors combine with the city and which is far more expensive.
When it is cheaper
Prices are stable year-round. Hotels are slightly cheaper outside the June–August and December holiday peaks.
How to spend less
- Eat the almuerzo set lunch (soup, main and juice) for about $3–5.
- Use the Metro and Trolebús for about $0.45 a ride.
- Take the public bus to Mitad del Mundo from the Ofelia terminal instead of a taxi or tour.
- Visit free churches and plazas in the Old Town.
- Take the bus to Otavalo (about $3) rather than a tour.
- Use app taxis like Uber or Cabify instead of street taxis.
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Common questions
Is Quito expensive?
No. Allow about $38 a day on a budget and about $105 mid-range. Ecuador uses the US dollar.
Do restaurants add charges?
Yes, 15% VAT (IVA) and often a 10% service charge. Check whether menu prices include them.
Is the Galápagos expensive?
Yes, much more than Quito, with park fees, flights and boats. Plan it as a separate budget.