Uber, Taxis, and Getting Around Ecuador

Getting around Ecuador is cheap compared to the US, Canada, or Europe. But the systems are different, the rules are flexible, and knowing how things actually work — not just how they are supposed to work — will save you money, frustration, and the occasional argument with a taxi driver. This guide covers every major transportation option in Ecuador for expats.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Uber

Uber operates in Ecuador's three largest cities: Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. It works essentially the same as in the US. You request a ride through the app, see the price upfront, and pay with a credit card or cash.

Key things to know:

• Cash payment is common. Many Ecuadorian Uber drivers prefer cash, and the app allows it. Keep small bills on hand — drivers often do not have change for a $20.
• Prices are low. A typical ride across Cuenca costs $2-$5. Quito and Guayaquil rides are similarly cheap, though longer distances in those cities push it to $5-$10.
• Surge pricing exists but is mild compared to US cities. Friday and Saturday nights, rainy afternoons, and early mornings see the highest surges.
• Safety is good. You see the driver's name, license plate, and photo. The app tracks your route. Most expats consider Uber safer than street taxis, especially at night.
• Driver availability in Cuenca can be hit or miss during off-peak hours. Early mornings (before 7am) and late nights (after 11pm) you may wait 5-10 minutes. In Quito and Guayaquil, drivers are almost always available.

InDriver

InDriver is a ride-hailing app where you propose a fare and drivers accept, counter, or decline. It is popular in Ecuador, especially in cities where Uber coverage is thinner.

How it works: You enter your destination, propose a price, and nearby drivers see your request. They can accept your price or suggest a different one. You go back and forth until you agree.

When to use it: InDriver is useful when Uber has surge pricing or when you are in a smaller city where Uber has fewer drivers. The downside is that the negotiation process takes longer than Uber's instant pricing.

Price comparison: InDriver fares are roughly similar to Uber, sometimes slightly cheaper because of the bidding system.

Other Apps

Cabify operates in Quito and Guayaquil but has a smaller presence than Uber. DiDi also has some presence. In practice, most expats stick with Uber and InDriver.

Taxis

Yellow taxis are everywhere in Ecuador's cities. They are cheap, abundant, and for many daily trips, faster to hail than waiting for an Uber.

Meters vs. Negotiated Fares

By law, taxis in Ecuador must use a meter (taximetro). In Quito and Guayaquil, meters are widely used. In Cuenca, meters are standard for in-city trips.

However, reality is more nuanced:

• Nighttime surcharges apply after 10pm in most cities — the meter rate goes up, or drivers may quote a fixed fare. This is normal and legal.
• Trips outside the city limits (to the airport, neighboring towns, etc.) are typically negotiated, not metered. Agree on the price before getting in.
• Some drivers will try to skip the meter with foreigners, quoting an inflated flat rate. Politely say "con taximetro, por favor" (with the meter, please). If they refuse, get another cab. There are plenty.

Typical Taxi Prices

• Cuenca: Minimum fare is $1.50. Most trips within the city are $2-$4. From El Centro to the airport is about $3-$5 (metered) or $5-$8 negotiated.
• Quito: Minimum fare is $1.50-$2.00. Trips across the city can run $5-$10. From Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (which is 45 minutes east of the city) expect $25-$35 in a taxi or $8-$10 on the Aeroservicios shuttle.
• Guayaquil: Minimum fare around $1.75. Cross-city trips $4-$8. Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport is much closer to the city — $3-$6 to most hotels.

Airport Taxis

Airport taxis in Ecuador charge a premium. At Quito's airport, authorized taxis are coordinated through a kiosk system — you pay at the counter and get assigned a driver. Rates are fixed and higher than street taxis.

Pro tip: For Quito's airport, book a private transfer in advance or use Uber/InDriver from the arrivals pickup area. It is significantly cheaper than the official airport taxi service.

In Cuenca, the airport is close to the city. A taxi from the airport to El Centro should cost $3-$5. Uber works from Cuenca's airport.

Taxi Safety Tips

• Use marked yellow taxis. Avoid unmarked cars offering rides, especially at night.
• In Quito, be cautious with street hails at night. Use a taxi app or have your restaurant/hotel call a taxi for you. "Express kidnappings" (where a taxi driver and accomplices rob passengers) are rare but not unheard of in Quito. Uber and radio-dispatched taxis are safer.
• Lock your doors. This is standard practice.
• Keep your phone and valuables out of sight. Do not flash expensive items near open windows.

For more on staying safe, see our guide on Safety in Ecuador for Expats.

Public Transit

The Tranvia (Cuenca)

Cuenca's Tranvia is a modern light rail line that runs roughly east to west through the city center. It opened in 2020 after years of construction delays and has become a useful option for daily commuting.

Route: The Tranvia runs from Parque Industrial in the southeast to Control Sur in the southwest, passing through El Centro along Calle Gran Colombia and continuing west along Av. de las Americas.

Fare: $0.35 per ride. You buy a rechargeable card at stations.

Hours: Approximately 6am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday. Sunday service is limited.

For expats: The Tranvia is clean, safe, and punctual. If you live along its route (El Centro, Av. de las Americas corridor), it can replace taxis for many trips. The main limitation is that it is a single line — it does not cover north-south routes or neighborhoods like Yanuncay or Challuabamba.

City Buses

Buses in Ecuadorian cities cost $0.30-$0.35 per ride. They are the cheapest way to get around but also the least intuitive for newcomers.

In Cuenca: The bus system has fixed routes marked on the front of the bus by name (e.g., "Ricaurte," "Baños"). There is no single map or app that reliably tracks all routes in real time. Google Maps has some Cuenca bus data, but it is incomplete. Ask locals for the route you need or use the Moovit app.

In Quito: The city has the Metrobus (bus rapid transit) system with dedicated lanes. The Ecovia, Trolebus, and Metrobus lines run north-south through the city. Quito also opened South America's first metro (subway) line in late 2024, running from El Labrador in the north to Quitumbe in the south. The Metro costs $0.45 and is fast, clean, and efficient.

In Guayaquil: The Metrovia is a BRT system with three main lines. It costs $0.30.

Bus safety: Pickpocketing on crowded buses is the main risk. Keep your bag in front of you, do not use your phone openly on the bus, and be aware of your surroundings during peak hours.

Intercity Buses

Ecuador's intercity bus network is extensive, cheap, and the primary way most Ecuadorians travel between cities. Almost every city and town is connected by bus.

Prices:

• Cuenca to Guayaquil: $8-$12 (3.5-4 hours)
• Cuenca to Quito: $12-$15 (8-10 hours)
• Quito to Otavalo: $2.50 (2 hours)
• Quito to Baños: $4-$5 (3.5 hours)
• Guayaquil to Montanita: $5-$6 (3 hours)

Bus companies to know: Cifa and Super Semeria for Cuenca-Guayaquil. Wanderbus (tourist-oriented) and Flota Imbabura for various routes from Quito. Buy tickets at the terminal (terminal terrestre) in each city or sometimes online through the bus company's website.

Comfort levels: Standard buses are fine for trips under 4 hours. For the Cuenca-Quito overnight run, spring for an ejecutivo or VIP bus with reclining seats ($15-$20). Companies like Cruz del Sur offer semi-cama (half-bed) seats.

Tips:

• Bring a jacket — air conditioning on buses is often set to arctic.
• Keep valuables in a bag on your lap, not in overhead bins.
• Use the terminal terrestre, not roadside pickup spots, for safety.

Domestic Flights

Flying within Ecuador is fast and affordable. The country is small, but roads through the Andes are winding, so a flight can save hours.

Main airlines:

• LATAM Ecuador — the largest domestic carrier
• Avianca Ecuador — growing domestic network
• Equair — smaller regional carrier

Common routes and approximate prices (one way):

• Quito to Guayaquil: $50-$90 (1 hour vs. 8 hours by bus)
• Quito to Cuenca: $50-$80 (45 minutes vs. 8-10 hours by bus)
• Guayaquil to Cuenca: $45-$70 (30 minutes vs. 4 hours by bus)
• Quito/Guayaquil to Galapagos: $200-$400 (Ecuadorian residents may get a discount)

Booking tip: Book directly through the airline's website or app. Prices fluctuate. Booking 2-3 weeks in advance usually gets the best fare. During holidays (Christmas, Carnival, Semana Santa), book early — flights fill up.

Driving in Ecuador

Car Rental

Renting a car makes sense for road trips (Cajas National Park, the coast, Vilcabamba) but is unnecessary for daily life in Cuenca or Quito where taxis and Uber are cheap and plentiful.

Rental companies: Budget, Avis, Hertz, and Localiza operate at major airports. Expect $30-$60/day for a basic sedan. A 4WD SUV (recommended for mountain roads) runs $50-$90/day.

Requirements: A valid driver's license from your home country works for tourists. If you have an Ecuadorian cedula, you should get an Ecuadorian driver's license within 30 days. International driving permits are accepted but rarely asked for.

Insurance: The CDW (collision damage waiver) from the rental company is worth taking. Roads in Ecuador can be unpredictable.

Driving Tips

• Roads in the Sierra are winding and steep. Hairpin turns with no guardrails, fog, and slow trucks are standard. Drive defensively.
• Speed cameras (fotomultas) are common on highways, especially near Cuenca. The fines arrive by mail. If you are renting, the rental company will charge your card.
• Gas is cheap. Gasoline costs about $2.40-$2.70 per gallon (extra/super). Ecuador subsidizes fuel, though subsidies have been gradually reduced.
• Night driving outside cities is not recommended. Unlit roads, animals on the road, and pedestrians wearing dark clothing create real hazards.
• Ecuadorian driving style is aggressive. Expect overtaking on blind curves, minimal use of turn signals, and buses that stop anywhere. Stay alert.
• Road conditions vary dramatically. The Pan-American Highway (E35) is well-maintained. Secondary roads in rural areas can be unpaved and washed out during rainy season.

Buying a Car

If you are staying long-term and want your own car, used Toyotas (especially the Hilux and Fortuner) are the most popular vehicles in Ecuador for good reason — parts are readily available and mechanics know them well. A used 2018-2020 Toyota Hilux runs $18,000-$25,000.

You will need your cedula and an Ecuadorian driver's license to register a vehicle. The process involves a notarized contract and registration with the ANT (Agencia Nacional de Transito).

Getting To and From Ecuador

Most international flights arrive at Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) or Guayaquil's Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport (GYE). Cuenca's airport (CUE) has limited international connections — mainly to/from Bogota and occasional charter flights. Most expats fly into Quito or Guayaquil and connect domestically.

If you are moving to Ecuador and need a residency visa before you arrive, EcuaPass can help you get your visa processed so you land with your legal status sorted.

Bottom Line

You do not need a car to live well in Ecuador. Between Uber, cheap taxis, the Tranvia, and intercity buses, you can get almost anywhere without owning a vehicle. Budget $100-$200/month for transportation if you rely on taxis and Uber for daily errands. Less if you use buses. The system is not as polished as what you are used to back home, but it works — and it costs a fraction of what you would spend on gas, insurance, and car payments in North America.