How to Get from Quito Airport to the City?
For many visitors to Ecuador, your first journey on arrival will be from Quito Airport to downtown Quito.
As an arriving tourist, you may be tired or jetlagged after a long journey, not understand the local language, and be hauling heavy luggage with you, so this first journey can be rather daunting.
The good news is that transport from Quito Airport into the city is a simple, 1-step journey, and there are multiple different ways to travel depending on your time and budget.
Keep reading for all of the information you need about how to get to Quito from the Airport. We’ll break the journey down for you on each transport option, including costs, travel time, and simple how-to instructions.
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Get a FREE personalised quote todayHow to get to Quito from the airport?
Where is Quito airport?
Quito’s award-winning Mariscal Sucre Airport is located close to Tababela in the Quito valley area.
How far is Quito Airport from downtown? It’s a 43-kilometer journey from the airport to various areas of Quito city, including the most popular tourist neighborhoods of the Old Town, La Carolina, La Mariscal, and La Floresta.
In moderate traffic, this journey usually takes between 40-60 minutes by car.
Transport from Quito Airport to the City
Transport options from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) to Quito city include: public bus, taxi, Uber, private transfer, shared bus, and car rental.
There’s a transport option for everyone. The cheapest choice is public bus, while the quickest way into town is by taxi, ride-sharing, or a private airport pickup.
So, let’s run through the options one-by-one, to help you make the best choice.
1. Quito Airport Public Bus
There are 2 public bus services operating from Quito airport to the city.
SOTRANOR buses go to Río Coca Terminal in the north of Quito, connecting there onto the Metropolitan Transportation System Ecovía Tram. The Ecovia line south has stops in all of Quito’s main neighborhoods, including the old town.
COSIBO buses connect Quito Airport with Quitumbe Bus Terminal, in the south of Quito. Quitumbe has links onto the Metropolitan Transportation System Trolebús to the city center, as well as provincial buses to most other regions of Ecuador.
How much does the Quito Airport Public Bus cost?
Public bus tickets cost just US$2 per person, making this the cheapest way to get from the airport to Quito city.
How long does the Quito Airport Public Bus ride take into Quito city?
The public bus journey from Quito Airport takes on average between 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic and bus route.
If you do connect onto Quito’s Ecovia or Trole tram services then remember to take care of your belongings as pickpockets may be around.
Quito’s new Metro service is safer, but does not yet connect directly with the airport bus services.
2. Quito Airport Taxi Service
Outside of Quito’s Airport terminal, on arrivals level, you’ll find a long line of yellow taxis waiting for passengers.
These taxis are from the approved taxi cooperatives that are allowed to work at the airport, and are safe to use.
Quito airport taxis operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making them a convenient transfer choice.
Personally, I always use these taxis for a quick and easy door-to-door service into Quito.
How much is a taxi from Quito airport to downtown?
Quito airport taxi fares typically range from $20 to $25 in total. Depending on how much luggage you have, it’s usually possible to fit 3 or 4 passengers in for the ride.
How long does an airport taxi take into Quito city?
In normal traffic conditions, a taxi ride from Quito Airport into Quito takes 40 to 60 minutes. In rush-hour or heavy traffic, the journey may take longer.
3. Uber & Ride-sharing at Quito Airport
Is there UBER in quito? Yes, apps like Uber, DiDi, and inDriver are popular in the city, and can be summoned for airport pickups.
Bear in mind though, that ride-sharing services are not officially sanctioned by the Ecuadorian government, even though they are widely used around the city.
Uber, of course, has the advantage of convenience, and their door-to-door service is faster than public transport, but in this case the cost usually works out to be similar to a regular yellow taxi service.
How much is an uber from Quito airport to downtown?
A typical Uber rate from Quito Airport ranges from $20 to $30 per service.
How long does an Uber ride take into Quito city?
Uber service from Quito Airport into Quito city typically takes 40 to 60 minutes. In rush-hour or heavy traffic, the journey can take a little longer, and of course journey time is also influenced by your wait time for a pickup.
4. Private Quito Airport Transfer Service
Another popular service is to pre-book a private airport transfer into town. Most travel agencies and Quito hotels offer this hassle-free client service. On arrival, just look for your driver who is holding a sign with your name written on it.
While a private transfer service costs more than a taxi or bus, it does promise better security, more comfort, less stress, and more convenience for tired travelers.
How much does a private Quito Airport transfer cost?
Private transfers can cost anywhere from $50 up $85 per service, and often varies based on the number of passengers.
How long does a private Quito Airport transfer take into Quito city?
Just like taxi and Uber, private transfers into the city typically take 40 to 60 minutes.
60 minutes. In rush-hour or heavy traffic, the journey can take a little longer, and of course journey time is also influenced by your wait time for a pickup.
5. Shared Quito Airport Bus Service
Similar to many other worldwide airports, Quito also has a shared bus service on offer.
Aeroservicios promise door-to-door service, in comfortable shared buses with air conditioning and Wi-Fi on board.
Their counter is inside the airport arrivals area, with departures leaving every 30 minutes.
How much does the Quito Airport Shared Bus cost?
The cost of this service is $8 per person one way.
They also offer service from Quito hotels to the airport.
How long does the Quito Airport Public Bus take into Quito city?
While the shared bus journey into Quito city takes 45 to 60 minutes on average, you’ll have to factor in the wait time before bus departure, and the fact that it may be a very indirect route to your hotel depending on other passenger drop-offs along the way first.
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From an Ecuador destination expert today6. Quito Airport Car Rental
The final transport option is to pick up a car rental at Quito Airport.
Car rental companies including Sixt, Localiza, Budget, Europcar, and Enterprise, can be found in the Arrivals Hall.
Car rental costs vary greatly between each company, and travel time will depend on the length of queue at the rental counter when you arrive.
Quito Airport Hotels
There are some excellent hotels close to Quito Airport, including Wyndham, Holiday Inn, and Euro building.
Quito Airport hotels offer fast 5-minute shuttle services at regular intervals throughout the day.
These hotels are especially popular for tourists flying home or out to the Galapagos, the Amazon, Cuenca, or other Ecuadorian cities the following day.
How to Get Back to Quito Airport from downtown?
The return journey to Quito Airport from your city hotel is just as easy and is basically the same journey but in reverse.
Hotel receptionists should be happy to assist with taxi bookings, or you could prebook a private transfer or use the Aeroservicios shared bus.
Quito Airport Hotels
There are some excellent hotels close to Quito Airport, including Wyndham, Holiday Inn, and Euro building.
Quito Airport hotels offer fast 5-minute shuttle services at regular intervals throughout the day.
These hotels are especially popular for tourists flying home or out to the Galapagos, the Amazon, Cuenca, or other Ecuadorian cities the following day.
How to Get Back to Quito Airport from downtown?
The return journey to Quito Airport from your city hotel is just as easy and is basically the same journey but in reverse.
Hotel receptionists should be happy to assist with taxi bookings, or you could prebook a private transfer or use the Aeroservicios shared bus.
Helpful Quito Travel Information & Links
Check out some of our other blog posts for more handy information and tips about tourism in Quito:
Travel Guide to Quito’s colonial Old Town
The best restaurants in Quito, Ecuador
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In conclusion, the arrival journey from Quito Airport into downtown Quito need not be daunting or complicated.
There are different transport options available, suiting all traveler budgets, and different levels of hand-holding on the journey.
Just follow the advice in this blog for an easy and hassle-free ride into the city.
