Three different bus networks serve the city and they are very inexpensive. Taxis are also relatively reasonably priced, and cycles and scooters are available to rent for fair fees.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Flights to Quito are served by Quito International Airport (UIO) which is located some 16 miles (25km) to the northeast of Quito. Traffic can be heavy and transfer times can be up to 90 minutes. There is a public bus service into the city. This will take you to Rio Coca, where you can take the Metro to Mariscal. There is also an express bus and taxis available from the airport.
Quito airport overview
Located in the northern part of Quito, five minutes’ drive from the city centre, Mariscal Sucre International Airport is a busy airport serving as the main hub for flights to Ecuador. Generally referred to as Quito Mariscal Airport, the facility processes nearly four million passengers each year. Services are basic but well-maintained, and the staff is both friendly and efficient.
Most flights to Mariscal Sucre International Airport are from other cities in South and Central America (Bogota, Panama City, Caracas, Lima, Medellin, San Jose de Costa Rica and Manta), but there are long-haul flights available from a few major cities such as New York, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Madrid and Amsterdam.
Due to its location in Quito, the airport cannot expand to accommodate the increasing demand for flights to Ecuador and a second facility is currently being built 11 miles (17.7km) outside the city. In the meantime, however, being inside the city limits means a cheap and easy trip to your destination.