Quick answer: The Devil’s Nose train is running in 2026, operated by the Municipality of Alausí. It leaves Alausí station Thursday to Sunday and on holidays at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00, takes about 2.5 hours round trip to Sibambe, and costs USD 30 for foreign adults (USD 15 reduced) plus VAT and fees. Book on Ticket Éxito.
Updated September 2026 by our local guides in Quito.
| Devil’s Nose train at a glance | As of September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Operator | GAD Municipal de Alausí (Municipality of Alausí) |
| Route | Alausí – Sibambe – Alausí, about 12.5 km each way |
| Days and departures | Thursday to Sunday and public holidays, 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00 |
| Duration | About 2 to 2.5 hours round trip, including stops |
| Ticket, foreign visitors | USD 30 adult (12 to 64), USD 15 child 5 to 11, 65+ or with a disability, before VAT and fees |
| Where to buy | Online at Ticket Éxito or at the Alausí station ticket window |
| Getting there | Bus from Quito about 5 hours, from Riobamba about 2 hours, from Cuenca about 4 hours |
Ecuador’s Devil’s Nose train, known locally as the Nariz del Diablo, is one of the most dramatic short train rides in South America. Leaving from the small Andean town of Alausí, the line drops roughly 500 m in about 12 km through a series of tight zig-zag switchbacks cut into a near-vertical rock face. Once considered one of the hardest railway engineering feats ever attempted, it is now the reason most travelers stop in Alausí. Here is what you need to know before you go in 2026, from our team of local guides in Quito.
What Is the Devil’s Nose Train?
The Devil’s Nose train is a short heritage ride on a section of Ecuador’s old Trans-Andean railway, which was built in the early 1900s to connect the Andes with the coast. The railway reached Alausí in 1902 after conquering the “Devil’s Nose” rock formation, climbing it with switchbacks instead of tunnels, a solution that let engineers avoid drilling through solid rock. The work was brutal and cost many lives, including those of laborers brought from Jamaica.
Today the train departs from Alausí station, descends toward the village of Sibambe, and returns the same way, offering sweeping views of the Chanchán River canyon. At each switchback the train stops, a crew member changes the points, and the train reverses down the next leg of the zig-zag.
Is the Devil’s Nose train running in 2026?
Yes. As of September 2026, the train runs Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays, operated by the Municipality of Alausí (GAD Municipal de Alausí). This is a change from older guides, which still send you to the national company Tren Ecuador.
Here is what happened. The state rail company, Ferrocarriles del Ecuador, stopped operating in 2020 and was ordered into liquidation, and every tourist route closed. In March 2023 a deadly landslide in the Casual and Nuevo Alausí area destroyed homes and part of the Pan-American Highway, and the town spent years recovering. The municipality then took over the 12 km Alausí to Sibambe stretch with funding and technical support from the national government, and the train returned in mid-2025.
On February 18, 2026 a mudslide damaged about 5 km of track and service was suspended. After repairs, the route officially reopened on June 6, 2026, according to Ecuador’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Heavy rain can still interrupt service, so check the booking page a few days before you travel.
Devil’s Nose Train Schedule & Prices (2026)
The train leaves Alausí at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00 from Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays, and a foreign adult ticket costs USD 30 before VAT and service fees. Check-in opens 30 minutes before departure.
- Departures: Thursday through Sunday and on public holidays, at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00. There are no departures Monday to Wednesday.
- Duration: about 2 to 2.5 hours round trip between Alausí and Sibambe, including a short stop at the Devil’s Nose viewpoint and a stop with a small cultural show at Sibambe station.
- Price: fixed fares by nationality and age (below). Discounts apply to children, seniors and people with disabilities, not to students.
| Ticket type (as of 2026) | Foreign visitors | Ecuadorian nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 12 to 64 | USD 30 | USD 18 |
| Child 5 to 11, senior 65+, person with a disability | USD 15 | USD 9 |
| Extras | Listed fares are reference prices and exclude VAT (IVA, currently 15%) and the ticketing service fee | |
These prices come from the official sales page on Ticket Éxito, which the municipality uses for online sales. Older guides that quote USD 22 to 40 through the Tren Ecuador website are out of date: that platform closed with the state company.
How do you buy Devil’s Nose train tickets?
You buy tickets online on Ticket Éxito or in person at the ticket window in Alausí station. Online, you pick the date and departure, choose your seats, enter each passenger’s name, ID or passport number and age, and pay within 15 minutes before the seats are released.
For weekends and Ecuadorian holidays, book a few days ahead, because the 11:00 departure in particular fills up. Midweek travelers only have Thursday and Friday to choose from. If you are already in Alausí on a quiet Thursday, buying at the station usually works.
Local tip: Take the 08:00 train. The morning light on the canyon is clearer, the clouds tend to roll in after midday, and you are back in town before lunch with the whole afternoon free for the Cóndor Puñuna viewpoint or a bus onward. That is only realistic if you sleep in Alausí the night before.
What will you see on the Devil’s Nose train ride?
The ride is mostly about the switchbacks and the canyon views, with two stops that break it up. Roughly 45 minutes after leaving Alausí, the train pauses for about 10 minutes at a viewpoint facing the Devil’s Nose itself, so you can see the zig-zag you just came down.
The train then continues to Sibambe station, at the foot of the mountain. Here people from nearby communities, including Tolte, Nizag and Sibambe, present music and dance and sell crafts, snacks and coffee. You have around 25 minutes before the train climbs back up to Alausí.
How to Get to Alausi
The easiest way to reach Alausí is by bus, about 5 hours from Quito, 2 hours from Riobamba and 4 hours from Cuenca. The town is on the main Andean route south, so it works well as a stop between Riobamba or the Quilotoa area and Cuenca’s colonial center.
| From | Bus time | Approx. fare | Notes (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quito (Quitumbe terminal) | About 5 hours, 301 km | USD 7 to 8 | Few direct departures a day; or change in Riobamba |
| Riobamba | About 2 hours, 90 km | A few dollars | Frequent buses, roughly every 30 minutes during the day |
| Cuenca | About 4 hours, 171 km | About USD 6.50 | Limited direct departures; book the day before |
| Guayaquil | About 3.5 hours, 176 km | About USD 6.50 | Several direct departures a day |
Schedules change around holidays, so confirm at the terminal the day before. Tell the driver you are going to Alausí town so you are not dropped on the highway. A day trip by bus from Quito is not practical: it means about 10 hours of travel for a 2.5-hour ride.
Where to Stay in Alausi
The best place to stay for the train is Alausí itself, because the first departure is at 08:00 and no bus from Quito or Cuenca gets you there in time. Staying overnight also gives you time to explore the town’s colorful streets, climb to the San Pedro statue above town, and see Alausí at dusk, after the day visitors leave.
Community Hostel Alausí is our sister hostel, part of Community Travel Group, and sits within easy walking distance of the train station at Eloy Alfaro, Casa 172. It has shared dorms from around USD 12.50 a night and private king and family rooms, a guest kitchen, breakfast for USD 3.50, and communal dinners for USD 5 with vegetarian options. The team can help with train timing and the viewpoint hike.
Community Hostel Alausí · Dorms and private rooms · walking distance to the Devil’s Nose train station · part of Community Travel Group
Arrive the afternoon before, sleep a few minutes from the station, and catch the 08:00 train without an early bus. Our local team will tell you which departure and seats to book.
Book your stay at Community Hostel Alausí →
Continuing through Ecuador? See all our tours from Quito →
Tips for Riding the Devil’s Nose Train
The most useful tips are to arrive early, dress in layers and take the first train of the day.
- Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure, when check-in opens. If you still need a ticket, come 45 minutes early.
- Bring a light jacket and sunscreen: the Andes can be cool and windy even under a bright midday sun, and Sibambe is noticeably warmer than Alausí.
- Sit on either side for the outbound leg; the train swaps direction on the switchbacks, so everyone gets canyon views eventually.
- Carry small bills for coffee, snacks and crafts at Sibambe.
- Combine your visit with a hike to the Cóndor Puñuna viewpoint for photos of the tracks from above.
Altitude is not an issue here. Alausí sits at about 2,340 m, lower than Quito, and the train descends from there. If you are coming from the coast, our guide to altitude sickness in Quito explains what to expect.
Can you hike to the Devil’s Nose viewpoint?
Yes. The Cóndor Puñuna viewpoint sits on the ridge above the Devil’s Nose and gives you a view straight down onto the switchbacks and the meeting of the Alausí and Guasuntos rivers. The trail starts in Alausí and is a moderate day hike of several hours, finishing in the Nizag community, where you can catch a ride or bus back.
Go early for clear views, bring water and sun protection, and expect a small community entrance fee at the viewpoint. If you want a shorter walk, ask at the hostel about a taxi to a closer starting point. For more trails like this, see our guide to hiking in Ecuador.
Local tip: Pair the train with Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest Inca site, which sits between Alausí and Cuenca. Take the 08:00 train, catch an afternoon bus south, and spend the night near Cuenca. Our Ingapirca guide explains why it is worth the stop.
Related guides
- Ingapirca: Proof That the Inca Respected the Cultures of Those They Conquered
- Baños, Ecuador: Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Adventure
- How Much Does a Trip to Ecuador Cost in 2026?
- Is Ecuador Safe to Travel in 2026? A Practical Guide
- Ecuador Travel Facts and Figures 2026
Plan it with us
We are local guides based in Quito, and we help travelers fit the Devil’s Nose train into a wider route through the Andes every week, with a bed waiting at our hostel in Alausí. Visit our office at Pedro Fermín Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo in Quito, message us on WhatsApp at +593 97 953 3832, or email info@communitytravel.ec.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Devil’s Nose train running in 2026?
Yes. The Municipality of Alausí operates the Alausí to Sibambe route, which reopened on June 6, 2026 after a February mudslide damaged about 5 km of track. Trains run Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00. Heavy rain can still cause short suspensions, so check the Ticket Éxito booking page a few days before you travel.
How much is the Devil’s Nose train ticket for foreigners?
As of 2026, a foreign adult (12 to 64) pays USD 30 and a foreign child aged 5 to 11, a senior over 65 or a person with a disability pays USD 15. These are reference fares before VAT and the ticketing service fee, so expect the final price to be a little higher. Ecuadorian nationals pay USD 18 and USD 9.
Can you do the Devil’s Nose train as a day trip from Quito?
Not comfortably. Alausí is about 5 hours from Quito by bus, so a day trip means roughly 10 hours of travel for a 2.5-hour ride, and no bus arrives in time for the 08:00 train. Most travelers stay a night in Alausí or visit on the way between Riobamba and Cuenca. From Riobamba, only 2 hours away, a day trip works well.
Does the train still run from Riobamba?
No. The long tourist routes that once started in Riobamba or Quito ended when the state rail company closed in 2020. The only section operating near the Devil’s Nose is the 12 km Alausí to Sibambe round trip. To ride it from Riobamba, take one of the frequent buses to Alausí, about 2 hours, and board the train there.
Which side of the Devil’s Nose train has the best views?
Either side works. The train reverses direction on each switchback, so the canyon and the tracks below appear on alternating sides, and everyone gets good views at some point. The 10-minute stop at the Devil’s Nose viewpoint gives every passenger time to get off and take photos, whichever seat you booked. Choose a window seat when you select seats online.
Is the Devil’s Nose train suitable for children and older travelers?
Yes. The ride is scenic rather than physically demanding, with a short walk at the viewpoint and Sibambe station. Children aged 5 to 11 and travelers over 65 pay reduced fares. Alausí sits at about 2,340 m, lower than Quito, so altitude is rarely a problem, and the lower Sibambe station is warmer, so bring layers for everyone.
