Quito has three main bus stations – Quitumbe, Carcelén and La Ofelia – plus several smaller stops used for local and regional routes. This guide covers what each Quito bus station is for, how much it costs to reach them, and how to get in and out of the city by bus, including the closest options if you’re staying at Community Hostel Quito in the Historic Center.
The majority of tourists that visit Ecuador arrive in Quito. The capital has a lot to offer, like the Old Town Historic Center or the Middle of the World, and it is also the perfect starting point to explore the rest of the country. Three main bus stations are located either north or south of the city, from where you can take buses to other cities and provinces in Ecuador.
Bus system in Quito
Quito’s public transport network includes the Trolebús, Ecovía and Metrobús lines, plus many private companies operating blue buses around the city. You can check the official Quito bus system map to plan your route.
Quitumbe (Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe)
Quitumbe, in the south of Quito, is the biggest and newest bus terminal in the city, 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, Los Ríos and Esmeraldas (Atacames)
- The Amazon: Francisco de Orellana, Nueva Loja, Tena
In total, 92 bus companies operate from Quitumbe, with close to 975 buses departing every day. Inside the terminal you’ll find shops, restaurants, pharmacies and banks to cover any last-minute needs before travelling.
The Ecovía bus goes to Quitumbe every 10–15 minutes from 5am to 10:30pm — not all Ecovía buses go to Quitumbe, so check before boarding. You can catch the Ecovía from Estación La Marín, just a 2-block walk from Community Hostel Quito. The Trolebús, which you can board at Plaza del Teatro, also runs straight to Quitumbe.
Taxis are also an easy way to reach Quitumbe and cost between USD 8–12 depending on your starting point.
Terminal Carcelén
The Carcelén bus station is in the north of Quito. From here, buses head to the northern provinces of Ecuador:
- Otavalo, Ibarra, Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja)
- Carchi province (for example Tulcán, El Ángel)
- Mindo – buses don’t enter the town itself, they stop at the “Y” of Mindo, where you take a taxi the rest of the way – plus San Miguel de los Bancos and Puerto Quito
- Esmeraldas (Atacames) and Santo Domingo
The terminal has a few small shops and snack stands, though fewer options than Quitumbe.
You can reach Carcelén by Trolebús, switching at Ejido station for the Semi Express Carcelén (no extra fare). There are also direct buses connecting Quitumbe and Carcelén if you need to transfer between terminals. A taxi to Carcelén costs USD 8–12 depending on your starting point.
Bus terminal La Ofelia
From La Ofelia you can catch a bus to Mindo, Nanegalito, the Middle of the World, or the zoo in Guayllabamba. It’s also possible to travel to Cayambe and Otavalo from here. The station is open 5am–10:30pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am–9:30pm on Sundays and public holidays.
From the hostel, walk 2 blocks to Marín bus station and take the MetroBús to La Ofelia – a single ride costs just $0.25. A taxi to La Ofelia costs USD 8–12 depending on your starting point.
Other bus stops in Quito
From Río Coca bus station you can reach Cumbayá, Tumbaco, Pifo, Puembo, Yaruquí, Quinche and Tababela. From La Marín (El Playón de La Marín — the closest stop to Community Hostel Quito) you can catch buses toward Valle de los Chillos and Sangolquí.
Bus from and to the airport
Quito’s airport (Mariscal Sucre International, in Tababela) connects to the city by bus:
- Terminal Río Coca (operator SOTRANOR) – 6:00am to 10:25pm
- Terminal Quitumbe (operator COSIBO) – 5:50am to 8:25pm
- Terminal Carcelén (operator OPERNORTE) – 6:05am to 8:30pm
A one-way ticket costs USD 2. There is also a shuttle every 30 minutes between the old and new airport terminals in the city:
- Monday–Friday: from 3:30am (old airport → new airport) and 4:30am (new airport → old airport), running until 11pm / 12:45am
- Saturday–Sunday: from 4am (old airport → new airport) and 5am (new airport → old airport), running until 11pm / 12:45am
More information is available at aeroservicios.com.ec. If you’d rather skip the logistics altogether, Community Hostel Quito also offers airport pickup so you can go straight from the plane to the Historic Center.
Frequently asked questions
Which Quito bus station should I use to travel south (Baños, Cuenca, Riobamba)?
Use Quitumbe Terminal, in the south of the city. It’s reachable from Community Hostel Quito by Ecovía or Trolebús from La Marín, about a 2-block walk from the hostel.
Which bus station do I need for Otavalo or the north of Ecuador?
Terminal Carcelén, in the north of Quito, serves Otavalo, Ibarra, Tulcán and the rest of the northern provinces.
How do I get from the airport to Quito by bus?
Airport buses run to Terminal Río Coca, Terminal Quitumbe and Terminal Carcelén for a flat USD 2 fare. Schedules run roughly from 6am to 8:30–10:30pm depending on the route.
How much does a taxi cost to Quito’s bus terminals?
Expect to pay USD 8–12 for a taxi to Quitumbe, Carcelén or La Ofelia, depending on where you’re starting from in the city.
Is it far from Community Hostel Quito to the bus stations?
La Marín station, which connects to Quitumbe (Ecovía), La Ofelia (MetroBús) and Valle de los Chillos, is just a 2-block walk from the hostel. Carcelén requires a Trolebús transfer at Ejido.
