Getting Around Ecuador — Buses, Flights, Driving, and Intercity Travel

Ecuador is the size of Colorado. That's it. And yet it contains the Andes, the Amazon, the Pacific coast, and the Galápagos Islands — four completely different worlds packed into one tiny country. The good news: you can get to any of them relatively quickly and cheaply. The not-so-good news: the journey itself can be an adventure you didn't sign up for.

Here's how to get from A to B in Ecuador without overpaying, missing your bus, or white-knuckling it through a mountain pass you weren't expecting.

Domestic Flights

Airlines

Ecuador's domestic flight market has consolidated. Your realistic options are:

• LATAM Ecuador: The biggest carrier, most routes, most frequencies. Generally reliable. Part of the LATAM group (formerly LAN).
• Avianca (formerly TAME routes): Smaller domestic network but competitive on major routes. After the state airline TAME folded in 2020, Avianca picked up some of the slack.
• Equair: Smaller regional carrier with some niche routes. Less consistent but worth checking for specific destinations.

Routes and Prices

Route	Flight Time	Round Trip Price	Notes
Quito - Guayaquil	50 min	$60-100	Most frequent route, multiple daily flights
Quito - Cuenca	50 min	$60-90	2-4 flights daily depending on season
Guayaquil - Cuenca	35 min	$50-80	Fewer flights, book early
Guayaquil - Galápagos	1 hr 45 min	$300-500 (tourist) / $200-350 (resident)	Resident pricing requires cedula
Quito - Galápagos	2 hr 30 min	$350-550 (tourist) / $250-400 (resident)	Usually stops in Guayaquil
Quito - Coca (Francisco de Orellana)	35 min	$80-120	Gateway to the Amazon
Quito - Lago Agrio	40 min	$80-120	Cuyabeno wildlife reserve access

Prices fluctuate significantly. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for the best rates. Holiday weekends (Carnaval in February/March, Semana Santa, Fiestas de Cuenca in November) spike prices and fill planes — book a month or more in advance.

Galápagos Pricing: The Two-Tier System

If you have an Ecuadorian cedula (resident ID card), you qualify for resident pricing on Galápagos flights — roughly 30-40% less than tourist fares. You must present your cedula at check-in, not just at booking. If you book the resident fare and can't produce the cedula, you'll pay the difference at the counter or be denied boarding.

On top of the flight, you'll pay a $100 Galápagos National Park entrance fee (cash, at the airport on arrival) and a $20 transit control card (INGALA/TCT card, purchased at your departure airport before boarding). Residents of Galápagos pay less for the park fee, but that only applies to people who actually live there.

Airports

Quito (UIO) — Mariscal Sucre International Airport: Plan ahead. The airport is in Tababela, about 45 minutes to 1 hour east of the city center (longer in traffic or rain). The Aeroservicios shuttle bus runs from the old airport site in the Mariscal district — $8, every 30 minutes, takes about an hour. Taxis from the historic center run $25-35. From the northern valleys (Cumbayá, Tababela), it's much closer. Do not underestimate Quito traffic — leave with a fat buffer.

Guayaquil (GYE) — José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport: Conveniently located near downtown, about 10-15 minutes from most hotels in the city center. Much less stressful than Quito.

Cuenca (CUE) — Mariscal Lamar Airport: A gem. Located 10 minutes from the historic center in the middle of the city. Small, easy to navigate, rarely crowded. You can arrive 60-75 minutes before a domestic flight and be fine. Enjoy it — this airport makes flying out of Cuenca a pleasure.

Booking Tips

• Book on airline websites directly (latam.com, avianca.com). Third-party sites occasionally have issues with Ecuadorian domestic tickets.
• Pay in dollars (Ecuador's currency) for the best price. Some sites try to charge in Colombian pesos or other currencies if your VPN is on.
• Baggage: Domestic flights typically include one carry-on and one checked bag (23kg). Confirm when booking — budget fares may not include checked luggage.
• Download the airline's app. Mobile boarding passes work at all major Ecuadorian airports.

Intercity Buses

Buses are the backbone of transportation in Ecuador. They go everywhere — literally everywhere — and they're staggeringly cheap. If you refuse to take buses, you're missing both a huge part of Ecuadorian life and the most practical way to get around.

Major Routes from Cuenca

Route	Travel Time	Cost	Companies
Cuenca - Quito	8-10 hours	$12-15	Turismo Oriental, Súper Semería, Flota Imbabura
Cuenca - Guayaquil	3.5-4 hours	$8-10	Ejecutivo, Super Taxis Cuenca
Cuenca - Loja	4-5 hours	$7-9	Cooperativa Loja, Sur Oriente
Cuenca - Macas (Amazon)	5-6 hours	$8-10	Macas Limitada
Cuenca - Vilcabamba	5-6 hours	$9-12	Via Loja, transfer in Loja
Cuenca - Ingapirca (Inca ruins)	2 hours	$3-5	Cooperativa Cañar

Major Routes from Quito

Route	Travel Time	Cost	Companies
Quito - Baños	3.5 hours	$5-7	Baños, Amazonas, Flota Pelileo
Quito - Otavalo	2 hours	$3-4	Otavalo, Los Lagos
Quito - Mindo	2.5 hours	$3-4	Flor del Valle, Cooperativa Kennedy
Quito - Guayaquil	7-8 hours	$10-13	Panamericana, Ecuador Ejecutivo, Cruz del Sur
Quito - Esmeraldas	6 hours	$8-10	Trans Esmeraldas
Quito - Tena (Amazon)	5-6 hours	$7-9	Various Amazon-route operators

How Bus Terminals Work

Every city has a Terminal Terrestre — a central bus terminal where all intercity buses depart and arrive. Think of it as a bus airport.

To buy tickets:

• Walk into the terminal and find the counter for your destination. Company booths are arranged by route/region.
• Tell them where you're going and when. They'll show you available departures.
• Pay cash at the counter. Some companies also accept debit cards, but bring cash to be safe.
• RedBus app: You can book tickets online through the RedBus app for many major routes. It works, it's convenient, and you can select your seat. Not all companies are listed, but the major ones are.

Timing: For popular routes (Cuenca-Guayaquil, Quito-Baños), buses leave every 30-60 minutes throughout the day. You can often just show up and get on the next one. For less frequent routes, check schedules in advance or buy tickets the day before.

Bus Classes

Not all buses are created equal, and the difference matters on an 8-hour ride.

• Normal/Económico: The cheapest option. Older buses, tighter seats, stops frequently to pick up passengers along the road. Fine for short trips (under 3 hours). Not recommended for Cuenca-Quito.
• Ejecutivo: The standard for most intercity routes. Decent reclining seats, air conditioning (sometimes too much — bring a sweater), onboard bathroom, usually a movie playing at deafening volume. Perfectly adequate.
• Semi-cama: Seats recline further, more legroom, fewer stops. Worth the $2-3 premium on long trips.
• Full cama (bus-cama): Seats that recline nearly flat, wider spacing, usually with blankets and pillows. The $4-5 upgrade for a Cuenca-Quito overnight trip is the best money you'll spend. You'll actually sleep.

Bus Safety and Comfort Tips

• Keep valuables on your lap or between your feet. Not in the overhead bin, not in a bag in the luggage compartment. Theft from overhead bins happens, especially on night buses.
• Take day buses when possible for routes through the mountains. The scenery is spectacular, the roads are winding, and it's safer.
• Bring a sweater or light jacket. Ecuadorians love cranking the AC to arctic levels on buses. You'll freeze in a T-shirt.
• Ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones: Buses play action movies at full volume. Always.
• Motion sickness: Mountain routes are extremely curvy. If you're prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine before boarding and sit near the front. The Cuenca-Guayaquil route through Cajas and the descent to the coast is particularly winding.
• Snacks and water: Vendors board at every stop selling everything from chifles (plantain chips) to full meals. The food is usually fine, but having your own water and snacks ensures you're covered.
• Bathroom: Most ejecutivo and semi-cama buses have an onboard bathroom. It's small, it's shaky, and it's not glamorous, but it's there. On economy buses, the driver will make bathroom stops.

Driving

Renting a Car

If you want freedom to explore at your own pace — pulling off at viewpoints, visiting small towns, stopping for lunch wherever looks good — renting a car is worth considering.

• Cost: $35-50/day for a basic sedan, $50-80/day for an SUV. Weekly rates bring the daily cost down.
• Companies: Localiza (largest in Latin America, most locations), Budget, Hertz, and some local agencies at airports and in city centers.
• Requirements: Your home country driver's license is valid in Ecuador for up to 90 days. After that, you technically need an Ecuadorian license. International driving permits are accepted but rarely asked for. You'll need a credit card for the deposit.
• Insurance: Take the full coverage. Ecuadorian driving is aggressive, roads have unexpected obstacles (landslides, animals, potholes the size of bathtubs), and the liability risk isn't worth saving $10/day.

Major Driving Routes

Cuenca to Quito (Pan-American Highway, E35):

• Distance: 430 km / Time: 7-8 hours
• Beautiful highland drive through Cañar, Riobamba, Ambato, and Latacunga. The road is mostly well-maintained two-lane highway with passing zones. You'll drive through small towns, past Chimborazo on a clear day, and across the Avenue of Volcanoes. Stop in Riobamba for lunch (try the hornado at Mercado La Merced).

Cuenca to Guayaquil (E582 via Cajas):

• Distance: 190 km / Time: 3-3.5 hours
• The first hour is one of the most spectacular drives in South America. You climb through Cajas National Park, hitting 4,100 meters (13,500 feet) in the páramo — lunar landscape, lagoons, fog, wild horses. The road is paved but narrow and winding with sharp switchbacks. Go slow, use your headlights, and watch for fog. After the pass, you descend dramatically through cloud forest to the tropical lowlands and Guayaquil.

Cuenca to Vilcabamba:

• Distance: 300 km via Loja / Time: 5-6 hours
• Drive south to Loja (4 hours), then another hour south to Vilcabamba. The road to Loja is good two-lane highway. The Loja-Vilcabamba stretch is scenic and winding through subtropical valley.

Fuel and Tolls

• Gasoline: Ecuador subsidizes fuel. Expect to pay $1.50-2.50 per gallon (extra or super grades). Gasolineras (gas stations) are common on major routes. Petroecuador and PriMax are the main brands.
• Tolls (peajes): $1-3 each, and there are several on major routes. The Cuenca-Guayaquil route has 2-3 tolls. The Pan-American has several between cities. Pay cash.
• Speed limits: 90-100 km/h on highways, 50 km/h in towns, 30 km/h in school zones. Speed cameras (fotomultas) are real and they will mail you a ticket.

Driving Hazards

This isn't the interstate. Things to watch for:

• Other drivers: Aggressive passing on two-lane mountain roads is common. Buses and trucks will pass on blind curves. Stay in your lane and be defensive.
• Animals: Dogs, cows, horses, and the occasional llama on or near the road, especially in rural areas. Slow down through small towns.
• Landslides (derrumbes): During rainy season (October-May), landslides can partially or fully block mountain roads. The Cuenca-Guayaquil route through Cajas is especially vulnerable. Check road conditions before traveling.
• Night driving: Avoid it if you can. Poor road markings, unlighted vehicles, pedestrians in dark clothing, and animals on the road make night driving in rural Ecuador significantly more dangerous.
• Altitude: The Cuenca-Guayaquil route crests at over 4,000 meters. If you're not acclimatized, you may feel lightheaded. Don't push it.

Trains

Ecuador's train network was largely abandoned by the late 20th century, but some routes have been rehabilitated as tourist attractions.

Tren Crucero

A luxury multi-day train journey through the Andes, typically running Quito to Guayaquil (or reverse) over 4 days/3 nights. It's a tourism product, not transportation — think Orient Express, not Amtrak. Prices start around $1,300-1,500 per person for the full journey including hotels and meals. Gorgeous scenery, well-run, and a legitimate bucket-list experience.

Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose)

The classic Ecuador train experience. This route near Alausí (between Riobamba and Cuenca on the Pan-American Highway) descends a dramatic zigzag carved into the mountainside. The engineering is remarkable — the train switches back and forth down a near-vertical rock face.

• Cost: $30-35 per person for the round trip from Alausí
• Duration: About 2.5 hours round trip
• How to get there: Alausí is about 4 hours from Cuenca or 5 hours from Quito by bus. Makes a great day trip if you're passing through on the Pan-American.
• Status note: Train operations have been intermittent in recent years due to maintenance and funding issues. Check current availability before planning around it.

Hired Taxis and Private Transfers

For intercity travel, hiring a taxi (or private driver) is a legitimate option that makes financial sense for groups.

• Cuenca to Guayaquil by taxi: $80-100 for the car (not per person). Split among 3-4 people, that's $20-33 each — barely more than the bus, with door-to-door service, AC, and your own schedule.
• Cuenca to Guayaquil airport: Many drivers specialize in airport transfers. $90-120 with early morning or late night pickup.
• Quito airport transfers: From the city center, a taxi to Tababela airport runs $25-35 metered, or you can arrange a fixed-rate transfer for $30-40.
• How to find drivers: Ask in expat Facebook groups — the same reliable drivers get recommended constantly. In Cuenca, several drivers are well-known in the expat community and offer fixed rates with WhatsApp booking. Your hotel or Airbnb host can also arrange transfers.

Pro tip: If you're flying out of Guayaquil (common, since it has more international flights than Cuenca), a hired car from Cuenca to the Guayaquil airport at $100 is often worth it compared to a $12 bus plus $5 taxi within Guayaquil plus the stress of connections.

Boats

Galápagos Inter-Island Travel

If you're visiting multiple islands in Galápagos, you have two options:

• Inter-island speedboats (lanchas rápidas): $30-35 per person between the main islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela). They're small fiberglass boats that hold 20-30 passengers and cross open ocean. Departures at 7 AM and 2 PM most days. Fair warning: These crossings are rough. Two hours of bouncing over waves. If you get seasick, take medication well before boarding. The ride between Santa Cruz and Isabela is the roughest.
• Inter-island flights: EMETEBE operates small prop planes between islands. $150-200 one way. Faster and drier than the boats, but expensive and schedules are limited.

Coastal Boats

Some coastal communities rely on boat transport, particularly:

• Muisne and Cojimíes: Small ferry crossings to access these coastal towns
• Puerto Bolívar to Jambelí Island: $3-5 boat ride near Machala for beach access
• River transport in the Amazon: Motorized canoes are the standard transportation in the Oriente (Amazon region). Your lodge will arrange this.

Putting It All Together: Planning Multi-City Trips

Ecuador's compact size means you can see a lot in a short time. A practical framework:

• Cuenca to coast beach weekend: Drive or bus to Guayaquil (3.5 hours), connect to coastal towns, or fly to Galápagos
• Highland loop: Cuenca - Riobamba - Baños - Quito by bus or car, 3-4 days, hit Ingapirca, Chimborazo, Baños waterfalls, and Cotopaxi along the way
• Amazon quick trip: Fly Quito-Coca (35 min), take a river canoe to your jungle lodge, 3-5 day trip
• Galápagos: Fly from Guayaquil (cheapest) or Quito, minimum 4-5 days to see multiple islands

The one thing you can't do efficiently is combine Galápagos with everything else — it requires flying back to the mainland, and those flights eat a day each way. Plan Galápagos as a separate trip.

Whatever route you choose, give yourself buffer time. Buses are occasionally late. Flights get delayed in fog (common in Quito). Landslides close roads. Ecuador teaches you patience — and rewards it with some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet, all within a few hours of each other.