Quito Airport to City: How to Get to Old Town and La Mariscal (2026)

We are Quito-born guides, and we help travelers get in from this airport almost every week. A lot of online advice about getting from Quito airport to the city is out of date, especially about the Aeroservicios bus. Here is what works in 2026, what it costs, and how to choose based on your arrival time, budget and luggage.

Where is Quito airport, and how far is it from the city?

Mariscal Sucre International Airport (code UIO) opened in 2013 on a plateau near the rural parish of Tababela, east of Quito. As the crow flies it is only about 18 km from the city, but the road trip to Old Town or La Mariscal is roughly 40–45 km because you have to drop into the valleys and climb back up to the city.

Plan on 45–90 minutes by car. Late at night or on a Sunday morning it can take 40–50 minutes. On a weekday between 7:00 and 9:00 or 17:00 and 19:30, an hour and a half is normal.

Which route does the driver take?

• Ruta Viva + Interoceánica: the usual route to Old Town, La Mariscal and La Floresta. It runs through Puembo, Tumbaco and Cumbayá, then climbs to the city through the Guayasamín tunnel. This is where most rush-hour traffic builds up.
• Ruta Collas: the northern access road toward Calderón and Carcelén. Drivers use it for the far north of the city, and sometimes to avoid a jam in Cumbayá.

One more thing to know on arrival: the airport sits at about 2,400 m, but Quito is around 2,850 m. You will feel the altitude more once you reach the city, so read our guide on preventing altitude sickness in Quito before you land.

What are all the ways to get from Quito airport to the city?

This table compares every realistic option for Old Town (Centro Histórico) and La Mariscal, as of 2026. Prices are per vehicle for taxis and transfers and per person for buses.

For two or more people, a shared taxi often costs little more per person than bus plus station taxi, and saves an hour. The bus really pays off for solo backpackers arriving in daylight.

How much is a taxi from Quito airport to the city?

Official airport taxis are run by authorized cooperatives that work 24 hours a day. Expect to pay about $25–30 to Old Town or La Mariscal, slightly less to Cumbayá and more to the far south of the city. Fares are set by destination zone, not by meter, and drivers may ask a little more very late at night.

How to take an official taxi

1. After customs, walk out of the arrivals hall and look for the official taxi booth or the marked taxi rank outside.
2. Tell the dispatcher your neighborhood and street, and confirm the price before you get in.
3. Take a photo of the car’s number and plate, and share it with someone if you arrive late.
4. Pay in cash in US dollars at the end. Drivers rarely have change for a $50 or $100 bill.

Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride. The official cooperatives are listed on the Quito airport’s transportation page, along with their phone numbers.

Can you use Uber or InDrive at Quito airport?

Yes, in practice. Uber, InDrive and DiDi all work in Quito and at the airport, and many locals use them. Their legal status in Ecuador is still a gray area: they are widely used but not formally regulated like taxis, so drivers keep a low profile at the terminal.

• Price: roughly $15–30 to Old Town or La Mariscal. InDrive lets you offer a fare; Uber prices rise at busy times.
• Pickup: follow the pickup point shown in the app. It is usually outside the terminal rather than at the taxi rank, and the driver may message you to meet at a specific door or in the parking area.
• Late at night: fewer drivers accept long airport trips after midnight. If you land at 23:30 or later, the official taxi is simpler.

Always check that the plate and driver match the app before you load your bags.

Is there still an Aeroservicios bus from Quito airport?

No. For years, the Aeroservicios shuttle ran between the airport and the old airport grounds at Parque Bicentenario for about $8. That service has stopped, and local press such as El Universo reported on the remaining options after its closure. As of 2026 there is no replacement shuttle to Bicentenario. If a blog or forum tells you to look for the Aeroservicios counter, it is out of date.

How do you take the public bus from Quito airport to the city?

Three public bus routes serve the airport, all costing about $2 per person in 2026 (the city has approved a rise to $2.45 from January 2027). Pay the driver or helper in cash, ideally with coins or a $1 bill.

• Airport – Río Coca – El Labrador: since late 2025 this route continues past the Río Coca station to El Labrador, the northern end of the Quito Metro, where it also connects with the Trolebús and Ecovía. It runs weekdays 4:45–22:00, Saturdays 5:00–23:00, and Sundays and holidays 6:00–20:00, roughly every 20–25 minutes (Primicias).
• Airport – Quitumbe: runs daily 5:00–22:00 to the southern long-distance bus terminal. Useful if you are heading straight to Baños, Latacunga or Cuenca.
• Airport – Carcelén: goes to the northern bus terminal, handy for Otavalo and the north.

Step by step: airport bus + Metro to Old Town

1. Follow the signs for public transport outside arrivals and look for the bus marked Río Coca / El Labrador.
2. Keep your big bag on your lap or between your legs, not in the aisle or on a rack behind you.
3. Ride to the end of the line at El Labrador (usually 60–90 minutes).
4. Walk into the Metro station and buy a ticket ($0.45 in 2026). The Metro runs from about 5:30 to 23:00 on weekdays, with shorter hours at weekends (Expreso).
5. Ride south to San Francisco station for the heart of Old Town, or get off at El Ejido for La Mariscal.
6. If you arrive after dark or with heavy luggage, skip the Metro at El Labrador and take a taxi from there instead. It is about $5–8 to Old Town or La Mariscal and much quicker than walking with bags.

Our honest take: the bus is fine and cheap in daylight with a backpack. After a long-haul flight, at night, or with a large suitcase, pay for the taxi.

Should you book a private airport transfer?

A private transfer costs more (about $35–55 per vehicle), but a driver waits at arrivals with your name, even if your flight is late. It makes sense if you land after 22:00, travel with kids, or are a group of three or four sharing a van.

What should you do before leaving Quito airport? (arrival checklist)

• Cash in small bills: Ecuador uses the US dollar. There are ATMs in the terminal; withdraw enough for the taxi, a first meal and bus fares. Small bills and coins make everything easier.
• SIM or eSIM: buy one before you fly, or look for a phone company stand in the terminal. Claro and Movistar have the best coverage. You will want data for maps, WhatsApp and ride apps.
• Entry documents: have your passport, return or onward ticket and accommodation address ready. Check the latest rules in our Ecuador visa and entry requirements guide.
• Late-night arrival: use an official taxi or pre-booked transfer, keep your phone out of sight in the car, and send your driver details to someone. Our practical guide to safety in Ecuador covers Quito neighborhoods in more detail.
• Address written in Spanish: save your street and cross street (for example “N6-78 y Olmedo”) on your phone. Quito drivers navigate by intersections.
• Altitude on day 1: drink water, go easy on alcohol, eat light and do not plan a big hike. A relaxed walking tour the next morning is about the right level.

How do you get to Community Hostel Quito from the airport?

Community Hostel Quito, which is also our office and the meeting point for our tours, is at Pedro Fermín Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo, on the edge of Old Town, a two-minute walk from the Mercado Central and close to Plaza San Blas.

By public transport, ride the airport bus to El Labrador and the Metro to San Francisco station, then take a short taxi or walk if you travel light and it is daytime. Still deciding on a neighborhood? Our guide to where to stay in Quito compares Old Town, La Mariscal, La Floresta and more.

What should you do on your first morning in Quito?

If you arrive the night before, the best first activity is something easy on your lungs that also helps you get your bearings. Our free walking tour leaves from the hostel every morning at 10:30, so you can sleep in, have breakfast and still join. You also pick up practical tips on getting around and eating cheaply.

For the rest of the day, follow our one perfect day in Old Town itinerary, or browse our full list of things to do in Quito.

How early should you leave for Quito airport?

Airlines generally ask you to be at the airport 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic ones. Add the drive time and a traffic buffer:

• International flight: leave Old Town or La Mariscal about 4–4.5 hours before departure on a weekday, 3.5–4 hours at night or on a weekend.
• Domestic flight: leave about 3–3.5 hours before departure.
• Galápagos flights: you also need to pay the transit card and pass the biosecurity check at the airport before check-in, so treat them like an international flight.

For early flights, book your taxi the evening before. Public buses to the airport do not run early enough for most 6:00–8:00 departures. Want to see how transport fits into your overall spending? Our Ecuador trip cost guide breaks it down.

Plan it with us

Landing in Quito for the first time is much easier when someone local has your back. If you want a pickup arranged, help choosing a neighborhood, or advice for your first few days, ask us on WhatsApp at +593 97 998 4730 or email info@communitytravel.ec. Then join us at 10:30 for the free walking tour and start your trip with a guide who grew up here.

Frequently asked questions