£322+ Cheap flights to Quito

Quito overview

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and dates from 1533, when it was built on the ruins of the Inca capital conquered by the Spanish. The city is sited high in an Andean valley and at 9,350 feet above sea level (2,800 metres), it is the second highest capital city in the world. Quito’s historic Spanish-colonial city centre is fantastically well preserved and was key in the city becoming the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Here you will find wonderful areas like the church and square of Santo Domingo, the Street of the Seven Crosses and San Francisco Square. The oldest street is La Ronda, which bustles with eateries, art and nightlife. The Plaza Grande is the city’s main square and is lined with impressive official buildings. La Mariscal, meanwhile, is the area to visit for entertainment and is a cosmopolitan mix of visitors and locals, all enjoying wonderful food, drink and dancing together. To the north of this historic centre, modern northern Quito has lots of nightlife, urban parks and museums and is well worth a visit. The city is centrally located in the centre-north region of Ecuador and makes for an ideal base to explore other areas of the country, from the Amazon, to the Cloud Forest and the fascinating Galapagos Islands. Quito has something for everyone, from an active nightlife and cultural scene, to rich history and stunning architecture. The city has undergone a substantial preservation and restoration project and remains an architectural jewel of South America.

Getting around Quito

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.