Arrival & Transport
Arrival by Plane
International Airports
Ecuador has two international airports:
- Quito — Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre (UIO) — The main airport is located in Tababela, 35 km east of the city center. Opened in 2013, modern and efficient. From Europe, KLM (via Amsterdam) flies directly to Quito — the most convenient way from the German-speaking area. Other options: Iberia (via Madrid), Air Europa (via Madrid), Avianca (via Bogotá), and LATAM (via Lima). Flight time from Germany: 13–16 hours (with stopover). Prices: 600–1,200 EUR return.
- Guayaquil — Aeropuerto José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE) — Located just 5 km north of the city center, much more conveniently accessible than Quito. Also offers international connections, especially to North America. Often cheaper than Quito, especially if you are flying to the Galápagos anyway.
From the Airport to the Center
Quito: Aeroservicios bus (shuttle) to the center: 8 USD, about 1.5 hours. Taxi/Uber: 25–30 USD, about 45 minutes (without traffic). At night: only taxi or Uber, no bus.
Guayaquil: Taxi to the center: 4–6 USD, 15 minutes. Much simpler than Quito.
Flights to the Galápagos
Flights from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY). Airlines: LATAM and Avianca. Flight time: about 2 hours. Important: Foreigners pay higher rates than Ecuadorians (350–500 USD return vs. 200–280 USD). The Transit Control Card (TCT, 20 USD) must be purchased at the departure airport before check-in.
Buses — Ecuador's Backbone
The bus system is Ecuador's most important means of transport and a blessing for travelers: cheap, frequent, and well-connected. There is hardly a place in Ecuador that cannot be reached by bus. The rule of thumb: 1 USD per hour of travel time.
Important Bus Connections
| Route | Duration | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Quito → Guayaquil | 8–9h | 10–12 |
| Quito → Cuenca | 10–11h | 12–15 |
| Quito → Baños | 3.5h | 4–5 |
| Quito → Otavalo | 2–2.5h | 2.50 |
| Quito → Tena (Amazon) | 5–6h | 7 |
| Quito → Coca (Amazon) | 8–9h | 12 |
| Quito → Mindo | 2.5h | 3.50 |
| Guayaquil → Montañita | 3h | 5 |
| Guayaquil → Cuenca | 4h | 8 |
| Cuenca → Guayaquil | 4h | 8 |
Bus Types
- Ejecutivo — Standard bus, comfortable, air conditioning (sometimes too cold — bring a jacket!). Fixed seating.
- Semi-Cama / Cama — Reclining seats for longer distances (Quito–Guayaquil, Quito–Cuenca). Slightly more expensive, significantly more comfortable.
- Local Buses — Minibuses and “chivas" (open buses) for short distances. Adventurous, cheap, authentic.
Practical Tips
- Terminales Terrestres: Every city has a central bus station. In Quito, there are two: Terminal Quitumbe (south, for Guayaquil, Cuenca, Baños, Riobamba) and Terminal Carcelén (north, for Otavalo, Ibarra, Tulcán).
- Buy in Advance: For popular routes on weekends and holidays, buy tickets the day before. During the week: just go and take the next bus.
- Safety: Luggage in the cargo hold — keep the receipt. Keep valuables in hand luggage. Night buses are generally safe on main routes.
Tipp
Night buses on the Quito–Cuenca route (10 hours) save a hotel night and are surprisingly comfortable (Semi-Cama buses). Departure around 10 PM, arrival around 8 AM.
Local Transport
Taxis
Taxis are cheap and ubiquitous in Ecuador. In Quito and Guayaquil, they have taximeters (insist on having it turned on!). Minimum fare: about 1.50 USD. Across Quito: 3–8 USD. In smaller cities, there are no taximeters — agree on the price before the ride.
Uber and Cabify work excellently in Quito and Guayaquil and are often cheaper and more convenient than regular taxis. In smaller cities: not available.
Rental Cars
A rental car is not necessary for most travelers in Ecuador — the bus system is so good that a car offers little advantage. Exception: If you want to explore the highlands flexibly on your own (Avenue of the Volcanoes, Quilotoa Loop, remote haciendas). Prices: from 35 USD/day (small car). Providers: Localiza, Budget, Hertz. Attention: Traffic in Quito and Guayaquil is chaotic and aggressive — not for the faint-hearted. Outside the cities, the roads are good but often winding and steep (Andean pass!).
Flights
Domestic flights are rarely necessary, but essential for the Galápagos (see Arrival). LATAM and Avianca also fly between Quito and Guayaquil (1 hour, from 60 USD) — sensible if you have little time. Flights from Quito to Coca (Amazon) save 7 hours of bus travel (from 80 USD one-way).
Trains
Ecuador's railway network was once legendary (the “Nariz del Diablo" — the steepest railway in the world) but has mostly been decommissioned. Individual tourist routes are occasionally reactivated — check the current status before traveling.
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