Quito, Ecuador — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Tel: (02) 294 4900.
Website: www.quiport.com
Quito airport is located in the northern suburbs of the city, around 8km (5 miles) from the Old Town. A new airport is being constructed 20km (12.4 miles) east of Quito, scheduled to be completed in October 2010.
Airport facilities
These include currency exchange office, ATMs, tourist information, snack bars, shops and porter service. Major car hire companies include Avis, Localiza and Hertz.
Transport to the city
There is a Metrobus stop outside the airport. Buses run to the center along Avenida America. Taxis are available from outside the terminals and operate fixed-rate fares to various zones in the local area.
Approximate flight times to Quito
From London is 17 hours and from New York 9 hours 30 minutes.
Getting There By Road
Quito is well connected to the rest of the country by a network of roads of varying quality. They are usually in good condition but some may have many cracks and potholes. Traffic drives on the right and can often be very chaotic. Driving at night can be dangerous due to frequent robberies. Speed limits are usually 60-90kph (37-56mph). To hire a car in Quito, you must be over 21 (a surcharge may apply to drivers under 25) and hold a valid British or international driving license. Insurance is required.
Emergency breakdown services
Aneta (tel: 1800 556 677); Police (tel: 101); Tourist Police (tel: (02) 254 3943).
Routes to the city
The main one is Panamericana (Pan-American Highway) that crosses the country north to south. Many of its sections are toll roads run by private companies.
Driving times to the city
From Guayaquil is 7 hours, Cuenca is 9 hours 30 minutes, and Esmeraldas is 7 hours.
Coach services
The Cumandá Bus Terminal (tel: (02) 257 0529) is at Javier Piedra, Maldonado, immediately south of the historical center. It has services to all of the country. Some bus companies operate private terminals around the city. Check which terminal you need when buying tickets from a travel agency.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
Although Ecuador's railway system is currently in shambles (mainly because of lack of funding and frequent landslides), the Ecuadorian Railways (EFE) recently launched a restoration project to rehabilitate the "most difficult railway in the world". In May 2009, the restored 100km (63-mile) stretch from Quito to the provincial capital of Latacunga re-opened to the public. The Quito train station, located at Sincholagua and Vicente Maldonado (tel: (02) 265 6142) is about 2km south of the Old Town. Purchase tickets in advance at the train ticket office, Bolívar 443 y García Moreno (tel: (02) 295 1400). Trains are old-fashioned and many passengers ride on the roof.
Rail Operators
EFE (tel: (02) 258 5710; www.efe.gov.ec) runs services to Latacunga, 100km (63 miles) south of the capital. Journey time is 4 hours.
Getting Around in Quito, Ecuador
Public Transport
The three pillars of Quito's public transport system are Trolebus, Metrobus and Ecovía lines. With dedicated lanes, inaccessible for all other transport, they play the same role as trams or subway in other cities. All of them cross the city north to south from the airport area to the Old Town. To get on the bus, one needs to put a quarter-dollar coin into the slot of turnstiles.
Taxis
Taxis in Quito are obliged to have meters. The yellow cabs come in all shapes and sizes and can be hailed on the street or at taxi ranks around the city. Rides inside the city rarely cost more than $5, usually much less and drivers do not expect tips. To pre-book a taxi try Central Radio taxis (tel: (02) 250 0600) or Teletaxi (tel: (02) 222 2222).
Driving in the City
Driving in Quito is a challenge because of chaotic traffic and jams. Considering cheap taxis, and the efficient Trolebus and Ecovía services, it's really not worth the hassle.
Car Hire
Car hire firms operating in Quito include Hertz (tel: (02) 225 4257; www.hertz.com) and Localiza (tel: (02) 227 0222; www.localiza.co.ec). To hire a car, you must be over 21 (a surcharge may apply to drivers under 25) and hold a valid British or international driving license. Insurance is required. The Ecuadorian police also recommend the use of a local temporary driver permit.
Bicycle Hire
Quito is not a cyclist-friendly city, but if you are longing for a cycling adventure, head to Biking Dutchman, Fosh 714 y Juan León Mera (tel: (02) 256 8323; www.bikingdutchman.com). They offer a wide range of bicycle excursions in the most beautiful spots of the Ecuadorean Andes.
