The majority of tourists that visit Ecuador arrive in Quito. The capital city has a lot to offer like the Old Town Historic Center or the Middle of the World. It is also the perfect starting point to explore the country and be able to travel outside of Quito. Three main bus stations are located either north or south of the city from where you take buses to other cities and provinces in Ecuador.
Bus system in Quito
Bus system in Quito: http://gobiernoabierto.quito.gob.ec/?page_id=1767, (click on the map to enlarge). There are also many private companies offering public transportation in the city. They use blue buses.
Quitumbe (Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe)
Quitumbe in the south of Quito is the biggest and newest busterminal of Quito. It has been operating since 2008. From here you can take buses to:
- The south: Latacunga, Ambato, Riobamba, Baños, Cuenca, Loja.
- The coast: Manabí (Portoviejo, Manta) and Santo Domingo.
- Guayaquil and Los Ríos, Esmeraldas (Atacames)
- The Amazon: Francisco de Orellana, Nueva Loja, Tena.
In total there are 92 bus companies operating from Quitumbe. Everyday there are close to 975 buses leaving from the terminal. Inside the bus terminal que can find shops, restaurants, pharmacies and banks to cover any needs you may have before travelling.
The Ecovia Bus goes to Quitumbe every 10-15 minutes from 5am to 10:30pm, not all Ecovia buses go to Quitumbe some go further south, make sure that you check before getting on. You can take the Ecovia bus from Estacion La Marin, a 2 block walk away from the hostel.
The Trolebus which you can jump on from Plaza del Teatro also has buses that go straight to Quitumbe.
Map of Quito with the Community Hostel, Bus station La Marin and Plaza de Teatro.
Cabs are also an easy way to get you out to Quitumbe but it will run between $8-$12 depending on your starting point.
Terminal Carcelen
The bus station Carcelen is in the North of Quito. From there the buses go to the Northern provinces of Ecuador:
- Otavalo, Ibarra, Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja)
- Carchi province (for example Tulcan, El Angel).
- Mindo (the buses do not enter the town of Mindo. You can go until de “Y” of Mindo and than take a taxi), San Miguel de los Bancos, Puerto Quito.
- Esmeralda (Atacames) and Santo Domingo.
In the terminal you will find some small shops and snack stands. But not as many options as Quitumbe.
You can go to the terminal taking the Trole Bus and switching at the Ejido station, from there the Semi Express Carcelen departs and you do not have to pay again.
There are also direct buses from Quitumbe to Carcelen if you need to transfer over from one terminal to the other.
Cabs are also an easy way to get you out to Carcelen but it will run between $8-$12 depending on your starting point.
Read also: how to get to the Terminal Carcelen.
Bus terminal La Ofelia
From here you can take a bus to Mindo and Nanegalito, even a bus to get you to the Middle of the World or the zoo in Guayllabamba. It is also possible to take buses to Cayambe and Otavalo, the station is open from 5am to 10:30pm (monday to saturday) and 6am to 9:30pm (sundays and public holidays).
From the hostel you can easily access the Marin bus station and take the MetroBus to Ofelia. It is one bus for 25 cents that leaves from 2 blocks away.
Cabs are also an easy way to get you out to Ofelia but it will run between $8-$12 depending on your starting point.
Other bus stations in Quito
From the bus station Rio Coca you can take buses to Cumbaya, Tumbaco, Pifo, Puembo, Yaruqui, Quinche and Tababela. From La Marín (El Playón de La Marin) you can take buses in the direction of Valle de los Chillos / Sangolqui.
Bus from and to the airport
From the airport of Quito (located in Tababela) you can take buses to:
- Terminal Río Coca (transport company SOTRANOR).
Schedule: From 6am to 10:25pm. - Terminal Quitumbe (transport company COSIBO).
Schedule: From 5:50am to 8:25pm - Terminal Carcelén (transport company OPERNORTE).
Schedule: From 6:05am to 8:30pm.
A one way ticket cost USD 2.
There is also a bus going every 30 minutes from the old aeropuerto of Quito to the new one.
- Schedule monday to friday: 3:30am from the old airport to the new one / 4:30am from the new Airport to the old one in the city of Quito until 11pm (from the old airport to the new one) / 0:45am from the new airport to the old one.
- Schedule saturday and sunday: 4am from the old airport to the new one / 5am from the new Airport to the old one in the city of Quito until 11pm (from the old airport to the new one) / 0:45am from the new airport to the old one.
More information in http://www.aeroservicios.com.ec/.
More information about getting to the New Airport.
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