Travel to Quito

Flying to Quito

There are no direct flights from the UK to Quito. Airlines offering indirect flights include KLM (via Amsterdam), Iberia (via Madrid), Avianca (via Bogota) and American Airlines (via Miami). Carriers operating direct flights from the USA include American Airlines and TAME. For the cheapest flights, avoid school holidays. 

Flight times

From London - 15 hours (including stopover); New York - 6 hours; Los Angeles - 8 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Toronto - 8 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 25 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

Quito is well connected to the rest of the country by a network of roads of varying quality. They are usually in good condition but some may have many cracks and potholes.

Traffic drives on the right and can often be very chaotic. Driving at night can be dangerous due to frequent robberies. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 90kph (56mph) on highways. To hire a car in Quito, you must be over 21 (a surcharge may apply to drivers under 25) and hold a valid national or international driving licence. Insurance is required.

Emergency breakdown services

Aneta (tel: 1800 556 677, in Ecuador); Police (tel: 101); Tourist Police (tel: +593 2254 3983).

Routes

The main road is Panamericana (Pan-American Highway) that crosses the country north to south. Many of its sections are toll roads run by private companies.

Coaches

The two main bus terminals are Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe, southwest of the historical centre, and Terminal Terrestre Carcelén in the north of the city.

Some bus companies operate private terminals around the city. Check which terminal you need when buying tickets from a travel agency. 

Time to city

From Guayaquil - 7 hours 30 minutes; Cuenca - 7 hours 30 minutes; Esmeraldas - 5 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

After many years of neglect, a huge restoration project led to the reopening of the line from Quito to Guayaquil in 2013.

Chimbacalle, the Quito railway station, is located at Sincholagua and Vicente Maldonado, about 2km south of the Old Town.

Operators

Tren Ecuador (tel: 1800 873 637, in Ecuador; www.trenecuador.com) operates luxury trains on the Quito-Guayaquil line.