Transfer to/from - Quito airport (UIO)

Transportation

Mariscal Sucre Airport is connected to the city centre by an express bus (Aeroservicios), as well as cabs, mobile apps (Uber and Cabify) and public buses that have services to Quito and surrounding areas. There are also private services from hotels and agencies.

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How to get from the airport to downtown Quito by direct bus?

The company Aeroservicios (Tel +593 500 6796 / 987 461 442) offers transportation from Quito to the airport.

Operating hours: Mondays through Fridays from 3:30 am to 11:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00 am to 10:30 pm.

Buses operate in 30-minute periods on weekdays and on weekends every hour.

Units with capacity for 46 and 51 passengers, whose terminal in the city is located in the old airport at the National Departures sector.

Cost: USD8.00 per trip, per person.

Purchase your ticket at the website (www.aeroservicios.com.ec) with any credit card, or directly at the terminal (old airport) or at the counters located in the Arrivals Hall of Mariscal Sucre Airport, with a credit or debit card or with cash.

Private door-to-door transfers

If what you are looking for is comfort and tranquility to transfer to or from the airport, you can opt for a private transfer service.

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The best option is to book online and in advance the transfer so that the driver will wait for you and you do not have to negotiate prices with taxis or transfer companies. There are vehicles for 3 passengers and a fee of USD40.00 for the entire vehicle.

The reservation can be made up to 1 hour in advance. At the airport, the driver will wait for you with a sign with your name on it as soon as you leave the baggage claim area and enter the Arrivals Hall. In you are in a hotel or apartment, the driver will be waiting outside the building. If they have the possibility to park the vehicle, you can sometimes wait for them at the reception.

What is the cheapest transportation alternative?

The public transport service of the Metropolitan District of Quito operates routes to the north and south of the city. The cost of the ticket from the terminals to the airport is USD2.00.

The operators that offer the service are:

- Consorcio SOTRANOR (to Río Coca Terminal), from 6:00 am to 10:05 pm.
- Consorcio COSIBO (to Quitumbe Terminal), from 5:50 am to 8:25 pm.
- Consorcio OPERNORTE (to Carcelén Terminal), from 6:05 am to 8:30 pm.

How much does a taxi from the airport to the historic center of Quito cost?

Taxis at the airport take you to the door of your home, office or hotel, operating 24 hours a day.

Univalles - Tel +593 2 223 2323 / 9 8340 8394.
Cooperativa Aeropuerto - Tel +593 2 281 8021 / 9 9992 8350.

The trip to the city center takes about 45 minutes. It is recommended to arrange the price before boarding and if possible change the tickets, since they normally only accept cash. The rate varies between USD25.00 and USD35.00.

Where to wait for the Uber or Cabify?

The driver must wait at the second curb, across the sidewalk outside the Arrivals Hall, since inside the terminal the exclusive authorization is for taxis. The rate for mobile apps has an approximate cost of between USD22.00 and USD30.00 to the historic center of Quito. For greater security at the meeting point, use the corresponding app.

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.  1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening. If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time. If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications. If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.  2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive. Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff. It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver. On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign. If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.