Getting Around Ecuador
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient buses and metro in Quito and Guayaquil. Rural: Rent a car for Andes and Amazon exploration. Coast: Buses and intercity shuttles. For convenience, book airport transfers from Quito to your destination.
Train Travel
Tren Ecuador Network
Scenic tourist train routes connecting Quito, Cuenca, and coastal areas with limited but picturesque services.
Cost: Quito to Riobamba $50-100, journeys 2-4 hours on key routes.
Tickets: Buy via Tren Ecuador website, app, or stations. Advance booking recommended for weekends.
Peak Times: Avoid holidays and weekends for lower crowds and better availability.
Rail Passes & Tours
Ecuador Rail Pass offers multi-day access to scenic routes for $150-250, ideal for tourists.
Best For: Exploring Devil's Nose and Nariz del Diablo, savings for 2+ routes.Where to Buy: Official Tren Ecuador offices, website, or tour operators with guided options.
Scenic & Heritage Routes
Routes like Alausí to Sibambe highlight historic engineering, connecting to Amazon and coast.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead for peak season, group discounts available.
Main Stations: Quito San Francisco and Alausí for Andean adventures.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for Andes roads and Galápagos access. Compare rental prices from $20-40/day at Quito Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (International recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to road conditions, verify theft and collision protection.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 100 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal on major routes like Pan-American Highway, pay in cash at booths.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on mountain roads, buses have right-of-way.
Parking: Street parking free in small towns, metered $1-2/hour in Quito and Guayaquil.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at $0.50-0.70/gallon subsidized, higher for premium.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Quito during rush hours and on coastal highways.
Urban Transport
Quito Metro & Trolleys
New metro line and trolleybuses cover the city, single ticket $0.35, day pass $1.50, 10-journey card $3.
Validation: Use rechargeable cards at stations, fines for non-validation are strict.
Apps: Metro de Quito app for routes, real-time tracking, and fare calculator.
Bike Rentals
BiciQuito sharing in Quito and similar in Guayaquil, $5-10/day with stations citywide.
Routes: Bike lanes in urban centers, especially along Malecón 2000 in Guayaquil.
Tours: Guided eco-bike tours in Cuenca and Otavalo for sightseeing and fitness.
Buses & Local Services
Metrovía in Guayaquil and TransEcuador buses operate extensive networks across cities.
Tickets: $0.35-0.50 per ride, pay with cash or card on board.
Coastal Buses: Frequent services linking beaches like Montañita, $5-10 for short trips.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus terminals in cities for easy access, historic centers in Quito or Cuenca for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (June-Sep) and major festivals like Carnival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable altitude or weather plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, hot water, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities like Quito and Guayaquil, 3G/4G in rural Andes and coast.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Claro, Movistar, and CNT offer prepaid SIMs from $5-15 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $10, 10GB for $20, unlimited for $25/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, cafes, and plazas, but speeds vary in remote areas.
Public Hotspots: Major bus terminals and tourist sites offer free public WiFi.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT), UTC-5, no daylight saving observed year-round.
- Airport Transfers: Quito Airport (UIO) 30km from city center, bus $0.50 (45 min), taxi $25, or book private transfer for $20-40.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals ($2-5/day) and services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and metro improving, but many sites like Otavalo market have limited access due to terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses (small free, large $5), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses off-peak for $3, folding bikes free on most services.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Ecuador
Quito Airport (UIO) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Kiwi, for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO): Primary international gateway, 30km north of city with bus connections.
Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE): Major coastal hub 5km from city, taxi $10 (20 min).
Galápagos (GPS/SCY): Islands airports for domestic flights, essential for eco-tours.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (June-Sep) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Bogotá or Lima and taking bus to Ecuador for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Avianca, LATAM, and Copa Airlines serve domestic and international routes affordably.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transfers to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $2-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in cities, cash preferred in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in urban areas, Apple Pay and Google Pay in major hotels.
- Cash: USD essential for markets, buses, and small vendors, keep $50-100 in small bills.
- Tipping: Not customary but 10% appreciated in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Ecuador uses USD, use Wise for transfers, avoid informal changers.