Quito Airport Transfers

Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is the main gateway to Ecuador. It is located 43km from the historic centre of Quito and the transfer can take between 40 and 60 minutes.

As it is one of the largest and busiest airports in South America, you should plan in advance how you are going to transfer, for example, by booking a private transfer or considering the different bus options.

This private transfer service allows you to escape the endless taxi queues and waiting at bus stations.

Instead, a professional driver will wait for you at the gates of Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) with a sign with your name on it to take you directly to your destination in Quito.

There are three alternatives for private transport from Quito Airport. Let's see what they are.

Transfer by private car or minivan

When you book your Quito airport transfer, you are guaranteed a comfortable journey and personalised attention. It takes approximately 50 minutes to the main hotels in the city, and the driver will help you with your luggage and even give you tips on how to have the best holiday in Quito and its surroundings.

Another of the benefits of this alternative is the flight monitoring service. From the moment you arrive, they wait up to 90 minutes for you to leave the airport. Also, in case of any inconvenience, you can let them know via WhatsApp at the number that will appear with your booking confirmation.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 40 - 50 minutes.
• Price: from €19 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: it is the fastest, safest and most personalised method. They offer the best price for private transfers.
• How to book this transport: you can book transfers to/from Quito airport online.
• Recommended if: you are interested in safety, comfort, personal attention and reasonable prices.

With private shuttle

Another alternative is to use the service of GO 4 Shuttle, a company with presence in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. They offer a safe transfer that is backed by the main hotels, hostels and Airbnb in Quito. To use this service, you will need to book online in advance.

This type of transfer operates 24 hours a day. Drivers are waiting for you in comfortable minivans. You can also take your small children with you in a pram or buggy, child seats are available.

Pets are also welcome, and if your flight runs into any kind of inconvenience, you can always keep in touch with them on the number that will appear on your booking receipt.

Details of interest

• Journeytime: 45 - 60 minutes.
• Price: from €24 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you travel comfortably and safely.
• How to book this transport: via their website.
• Recommended if: you are travelling in a group or family and want a reliable and safe service.

With the tourist bus

With the tourist bus line you can follow some of the best city tours in Quito and you can also start your adventure in this South American capital from the airport with the transfer or shuttle service. Amenities include USB chargers and comfortable seats.

The tourist bus line uses cars, minibuses and buses, depending on the number of passengers you have booked. One of the particularities of this service is that, despite being part of the tourist bus line, they offer discounts for the number of passengers in the booking. Also, unlike the airport shuttles, the service is private, reserved for you and your group. In addition, the units are fitted with GPS service.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 40 - 50 minutes.
• Price: from €31 per person for individual bookings.
• Advantages of using this method: you get discounts when travelling in groups.
• How to book this transport: visit the Quito Tourist Bus website.
• Recommended if: your accommodation is located in the areas: the Historic Centre, La Mariscal, La Floresta, La Carolina or Bellavista, as these are the main areas covered by the service.

In parts of South America, ridesharing is not as common or even non-existent.

One of the few options is Go Girl Drivers EC, a female-focused taxi service that takes you all over Quito, including Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

The service, by women for women, operates 24 hours a day, so you'll be picked up at the airport in a car at the agreed time. If there is another female passenger who matches the time and date of your booking, it will be shared. However, you must book your transfer at least one hour in advance.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 40 - 60 minutes.
• Price: from €20 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you can reduce your fares by sharing with other people.
• How to book this transport: via WhatsApp.
• Recommended if: you want to travel safely and with a reliable service from the airport.

In Quito, the bus is the most popular transport system because of its low fares. Best of all, they offer various modes of transport to suit all tastes. However, in some cases, this money saving can mean more time spent on the transfer.

This option is ideal for those visiting Quito in 3 days or more and have enough time to get to know the surrounding area.

AeroServicios is the name of the official airport transfer service offered by Quito Airport.

The company uses large buses to take you to your accommodation or as close as possible to it, covering 22 main zones and 3 special zones with pre-established fares according to your destination in the city of Quito.

The service is available from 05:00 to 22:00 hours, with frequencies every 30 minutes. To include your hotel on the route, you must request this service at the airport counters at least one hour before departure or write to their website in advance.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: from 60.
• Price: from €10 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a door-to-door service at the best cost.
• How to book this transport: through their WhatsApp web service.
• Recommended if: you are not in a hurry when travelling to Quito as this is a shared service. Fortunately, the timetables mentioned on the website are usually respected and the frequency is approximately every 90 minutes.

The other alternative is public buses, the cheapest option but not necessarily the safest or most comfortable. Timetables, frequency and the bus company offering the service vary depending on which terminal you are going to.

• If you are going to Terminal Río Coca, buses operated by Sotranor are available from 06:00 to 22:05 hours.
• If you are going to Terminal Quitumbe, the operator Cosibo has buses available from 05:50 to 20:25.
• On the other hand, if your destination is the Carcelén Terminal, the OperNorte consortium offers buses from 06:05 to 20:30.

You can then connect with the Metropolitan Transport System (Sistema Metropolitano de Transporte Trolebús ) to go to the city centre.

Details of interest

• Journey time: over 60 minutes.
• Price: from €2 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: it is the cheapest of all.
• How to book this transport: no reservations apply, just go to the appropriate terminal and wait for the bus.
• Recommended if: you are not in a hurry and generally if you are travelling with someone else.

Despite the availability of other transport options, many tourists still prefer to use taxis to get from Quito Airport to the city centre thanks to their popularity in other countries.

This means of transport is convenient because of its 24-hour availability. However, I have to be honest: this is not the option I recommend in Quito. The reason? The ways that many taxi drivers have to charge more money to travellers. With them a service can go from 25 € to 35 € and it is not necessarily due to traffic.

Certainly the arrival of the taximeters helped to diminish the dishonest practices of the yellow taxi drivers, but certain activities still persist that maintain their bad reputation. Still, in case you need to use this means of transport, I recommend using an application such as UBER. With them the fares are still pre-established as in all cities and the service maintains its safety standards.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 45 - 50 minutes.
• Price: from €25 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: immediacy.
• How to book this transport: no need to book in advance.
• Recommended if: you need to travel quickly and have no other alternative.

If you're an adventurous traveller looking for a convenient, safe and flexible way to get from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to Quito, consider hiring a car.

One of the main advantages is the flexibility of having your own vehicle. You can explore Quito and the surrounding area at your own pace, without relying on public transport or the schedules of other services. In addition, car rental allows you to access remote areas and discover places off the beaten tourist track, so you can explore the heart of Quito at its roots.

As for rental alternatives, there are a range of opportunities at your disposal:

• Europcar, one of the companies best rated by travellers.
• Sixt.
• Budget.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: 40-50 minutes.
• Price: from €35 per day.
• Advantages of using this method: it allows you to have more control over your itinerary.
• How to book this transport: you can do it online by visiting one of the websites mentioned above or rent a car directly at the airport.
• Recommended if: your trip to Quito is longer than 5 days and you prefer to explore the surrounding area at your own pace.