Getting around · Quito · Ecuador
Getting around Quito
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Quito is long and narrow, stretching north to south along the valley. The Metro line, opened at the end of 2023, runs along this axis and links the Old Town with La Carolina and the north; taxis and ride-hailing apps fill the gaps, especially at night. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- UIO
- Need a car?
- No
Ways to get around
Metro
A single Metro line runs from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north, with stations at San Francisco in the Old Town, El Ejido, La Carolina and Iñaquito; it is the fastest way between the Old Town and the north.
Avoid peak hours with luggage; trains are crowded at commuter times.
Bus
The Trolebús, Ecovía and Metrobús rapid-bus lines run in dedicated lanes north–south and are cheap, but very crowded and a known spot for pickpockets.
Taxi
Yellow taxis are plentiful and inexpensive; licensed cabs show an orange registration number and should use the meter (taxímetro).
At night, ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi rather than hailing one in the street.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps are widely used, show the fare upfront and are a convenient option after dark.
Walking
The Old Town is best explored on foot, but streets are steep and the altitude makes walking tiring for the first days.
Cable car
The TelefériQo cable car climbs from the western edge of the city to Cruz Loma; take a taxi to its base station.
From the airport
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is at Tababela, about 35–40 km east of the centre, and the drive takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Official airport taxis charge fixed fares by zone, posted at the exit; a shuttle bus runs to the former airport site at Parque Bicentenario in the north.
Do you need a car?
No. Taxis and the Metro handle the city, and day trips to Otavalo, Mindo or Cotopaxi are easier by bus or with a tour. Hiring a car only makes sense for an independent road trip through the highlands.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Otavalo market | About 2 hours by bus | Bus from Terminal Carcelén, or a tour |
| Cotopaxi National Park | About 1.5–2 hours by road | Tour or car; buses reach the park turn-off only |
| Mindo cloud forest | About 2 hours by bus | Bus from Terminal La Ofelia, or a tour |
| Papallacta hot springs | About 1.5 hours by road | Bus towards the Amazon (Baeza/Tena) or taxi; tours available |
| Quilotoa crater lake | About 3.5–4 hours by road | Tour, or bus via Latacunga |
| Pululahua crater | About 1 hour by road | Taxi or tour, often combined with Mitad del Mundo |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Quito?
No. Taxis and the Metro handle the city, and day trips to Otavalo, Mindo or Cotopaxi are easier by bus or with a tour. Hiring a car only makes sense for an independent road trip through the highlands.
+How do you get from the airport to Quito?
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is at Tababela, about 35–40 km east of the centre, and the drive takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Official airport taxis charge fixed fares by zone, posted at the exit; a shuttle bus runs to the former airport site at Parque Bicentenario in the north.
+What is the best way to get around Quito?
Metro: A single Metro line runs from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north, with stations at San Francisco in the Old Town, El Ejido, La Carolina and Iñaquito; it is the fastest way between the Old Town and the north.