Quito on a budget is very doable: as of 2026, most backpackers spend around $30–50 a day. Dorm beds run about $10–18, a set lunch (almuerzo) costs about $3–5, a Metro ride is $0.45 and city buses $0.35. Many of the best things to do, from the free walking tour to Itchimbía Park and the Old Town plazas, cost nothing at all.
We’re the team at Community Hostel in Quito’s Old Town, and after 15 years we’ve watched a lot of backpackers stretch their dollars here. These are the real costs and the habits that keep them low.
Quick answer: how much does backpacking Quito cost?
- Daily budget: around $30–50 for most backpackers, less if you cook and stick to free sights.
- Beds: dorms across the city cost about $10–18 a night.
- Food: an almuerzo (set lunch) costs about $3–5.
- Transport: Metro $0.45, Trole/Ecovía/buses $0.35, Uber around $2–5 within the city.
- Currency: Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there’s no exchange to worry about.
What do things cost in Quito? (2026 prices)
Here are the costs you’ll actually run into. All prices are approximate, in USD, as of 2026.
| Item | Typical cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed | About $10–18 per night | Citywide range; varies by season and dorm size |
| Almuerzo (set lunch) | About $3–5 | The best-value meal in the city |
| Fresh juice at Mercado Central | About $1–1.50 | Cash, small bills |
| Quito Metro | $0.45 | Line 1, stations San Francisco and La Alameda near the Old Town |
| Trolebús, Ecovía and city buses | $0.35 | Planned to rise to $0.40 from January 1, 2027 |
| Taxi minimum fare | $1.45 day / $1.75 night | Use a registered taxi |
| Uber within the city | About $2–5 | Cabify and InDrive also work |
| TelefériQo (foreign adult) | $9 | Plus about $5 by taxi from the Old Town |
| Basílica del Voto Nacional towers | About $4 (foreigners) | Nave only is $2; cash |
| El Panecillo | $1 | Take a taxi up |
| Beer at a bar | About $4–7 | Cocktails about $7–12 |
The pattern is clear: food and local transport are cheap, while taxis, paid viewpoints and nights out are where budgets leak. A $9 TelefériQo ticket plus a $5 taxi each way costs as much as a night in a dorm, so it’s worth doing once, on a clear day, rather than on a whim. For cheap eating, the Mercado Central is hard to beat: locro, hornado, llapingachos and morocho sit alongside fresh juices, and you pay in cash at the stall.
How much should you budget per day in Quito?
Two sample days, built from the prices above. Your real number depends on how often you take taxis and how many nights you go out.
Shoestring day: about $25–35
- Dorm bed: about $10–14
- Breakfast: cooked in a guest kitchen, a few dollars in groceries
- Almuerzo: about $3–5
- Juice at the market: about $1–1.50
- Getting around: walking plus two bus or Metro rides, under $1
- Sightseeing: free walking tour (tip what you think it was worth), Itchimbía Park and the plazas for free, El Panecillo for $1
- Evening: hostel events, like the free Wednesday salsa class
Mid-range backpacker day: about $45–65
- Dorm bed in a smaller room: about $14–18
- Almuerzo: about $3–5
- Seafood at Mercado Central: corvina about $7.50–8.50
- TelefériQo: $9 ticket
- Two Uber rides: about $4–10
- A couple of beers: about $8–14
Adding a day tour or a big night out pushes you past that, so plan those for specific days and keep the rest simple.
What are the best free things to do in Quito?
Some of Quito’s best experiences cost nothing:
- Free walking tour: the free walking tour of Quito leaves from our hostel with our sister agency, Community Adventures Ecuador. It’s the best orientation to the Old Town.
- Itchimbía Park: a hilltop park with wide views over the Old Town, and free. See our guide to Itchimbía Park.
- Old Town plazas: Plaza Grande, Plaza San Blas and Plaza del Teatro are all walkable and free to wander.
- Mercado Central browsing: walk the stalls, watch the lunch rush and visit the herbal healers downstairs. Read more in our Mercado Central guide.
- La Ronda by day: the 17th-century street is free to stroll, with artisan shops open from about 10am to 6pm.
- Municipal museums: some have occasional free or $1 entry on weekends, so ask before you go.
When you’re ready to pay for a view, the two best-value ones are El Panecillo ($1) and the Basílica del Voto Nacional towers (about $4). The TelefériQo is the priciest at $9 but takes you to 3,945 m (12,943 ft).
How do you save on the airport transfer?
The airport is the first place many backpackers overspend. As of 2026, a taxi from the airport is usually $25–30. Your options:
- Public bus: the cheapest way, but slower and harder with a big backpack. Our Quito airport to city center guide has current routes and fares.
- Our airport pickup: our driver Omar charges $22 total for up to 4 people, booked on WhatsApp. Split between four, that’s $5.50 each, door to door. Even alone it costs less than a typical taxi.
Tip: find other travelers on your flight or ask in your hostel group chat, then share the pickup.
Keep your budget in the Old Town. Community Hostel has 4, 6 and 10-bed mixed dorms with privacy curtains, lockers and outlets, a guest kitchen, free coffee and tea, and weekly events open to everyone. We’re 2 minutes’ walk from the Mercado Central. For current bed prices, check rates for your dates on our booking page.
How can you get around Quito cheaply?
Public transport is the biggest saving in Quito. The Metro’s single line runs 22.6 km through 15 stations between Quitumbe and El Labrador, with Old Town stations at San Francisco and La Alameda. It runs Monday to Friday 5:30am–11pm, Saturday 7am–11pm and Sunday 7am–10pm.
Near our hostel, the Ecovía/Metrobus stops at La Marín and the Trolebús at Plaza del Teatro, three blocks away. For terminals and long-distance buses, see our Quito bus stations and transport guide.
At night, skip the savings and take an Uber, Cabify, InDrive or registered taxi. At $2–5 for most city trips, it’s cheap insurance.
What money tips should backpackers know?
- Ecuador uses US dollars. No currency exchange and no mental math if you’re from the US.
- Carry small bills. Markets, buses and small shops can struggle to change large notes. Keep $1s and $5s, plus coins for bus fares.
- Bring cash for sights. The Basílica towers and Mercado Central stalls are cash places.
- Eat your main meal at lunch. An almuerzo at $3–5 is far cheaper than an à la carte dinner.
- Use the guest kitchen. Cooking breakfast and a few dinners saves more than any other habit.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need per day in Quito?
Most backpackers spend around $30–50 a day as of 2026. A shoestring day with a dorm bed, an almuerzo, public transport and free sights can come in around $25–35. Paid attractions like the TelefériQo, taxis and nights out push you toward $45–65.
Is Quito cheap to visit?
Yes, by most travelers’ standards. Dorm beds cost about $10–18, set lunches about $3–5, and a Metro ride $0.45. Many top sights are free, including the Old Town plazas, Itchimbía Park and the free walking tour, so it is easy to keep costs low.
How much does public transport cost in Quito?
As of 2026, the Metro costs $0.45 and the Trolebús, Ecovía and city buses cost $0.35, with a planned increase to $0.40 from January 1, 2027. Taxi minimum fares are $1.45 by day and $1.75 at night.
What is the cheapest way from Quito airport to the Old Town?
The public bus is the cheapest option, but it is slower and awkward with luggage. A shared pickup is a good middle ground: our driver charges $22 total for up to 4 people, about $5.50 each, compared with a typical $25–30 airport taxi.
Should I bring cash to Quito?
Yes. Ecuador uses the US dollar, and markets, buses, small shops and some attractions, like the Basílica towers, work in cash. Carry small bills and coins, since large notes can be hard to change.