Mariscal Sucre International Airport is the main gateway to Ecuador. This airport is located in Quito, specifically in the Tababela zone. It is 43 kilometers far from the Historic District (Old Town) if you take Ruta Viva; and, it is approximately 48 kilometers if you opt for the Panamerican Highway. So, the trip from the airport to Old Town could take between 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the traffic conditions and the kind of transport you have chosen.
For this reason, in this note, we want to give you helpful information about how to go from Quito Airport to Quito Old Town.
Private transfer / Shuttle (recommended)
We take you to and from Quito airport most comfortably and safely as possible using our SUV-type cars and shuttle buses, with local professional drivers, GPS tracking, a USB charger on board, and comfortable seats.
We have more than 20 years of experience in tourist transport, and we work with professional drivers who know the city well and drive safely. Our drivers are Ecuadorians and will be happy to tell you more about our country. Additionally, we have modern, comfortable, and safe vehicles so you can enjoy your trip the best.
- 20 years of experience
- GPS tracking
- Professional drivers with driver’s license
- USB charger
- Modern, comfortable, safe vehicles
- Duration: 40 mins – 1 hour
- Pickup: We define it depending on your flight’s time
Transfers in/out from $15 USD
View more information about the Quito – Airport transfer service
For your comfort and safety, we have new and comfortable vehicles.
We have cars, mini-buses, and buses, and the vehicle size will depend on the number of passengers.
We invite to read the complete article about the best things to do in Quito (by a local).
Public transport
There are two public transport companies, called SOTRANOR Consortium, and COSIBO Consortium, which normally enter Mariscal Sucre International Airport. SOTRANOR buses connect Quito Airport with the bus terminal at Rio Coca Avenue. Once there, you can take the Metropolitan Transportation System Ecovía which will connect you to the Old Town.
COSIBO buses connect Quito Airport with the bus terminal of Quitumbe, in the south of Quito. Once there, you can take the Metropolitan Transportation System Trolebús which will connect you to the city center. This is the cheapest option to go from the airport to the city of Quito as it costs only $ 2 USD.
Taxi or Uber
You will find yellow taxis at the airport that can take you to any point in the city. You can also use Transportations Apps, such as Uber. However, we recommend you take a safe private transfer. You can request a unit to pick you up inside Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Traveling from the airport to Quito Old Town could cost between $ 25 – $ 35 USD.
Aeroservicios
This is a land travel option in a private bus that has air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Aeroservicios operates between Quito – Airport, and Airport – Quito, and works 365 days a year. If you choose this option you will go from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to the Old Airport located in the north of the city. You can find Aeroservicios counters inside the airport and the buses can be taken once you leave the airport. These buses have departures every 30 minutes and special hours on weekends and holidays. The cost of this service is $ 8 USD (one way).
Aeroservicios also has door-to-door service, so they move their passengers from the airport to their homes and from their homes to the airport.
Once you have reached Quito’s Old town
Once you have reached Old Town, we invite you to enjoy it and get to know it on board the city’s only double-decker bus and its unique Quito City Tour of Quito Tour Bus. You can get on and off the bus as many times as you wish at any of our stops with no additional cost, you just have to show your day-pass ticket. Marvel at the cultural and architectural richness of the largest Historic Center in South America.
Follow this article to know more about things to do in Quito.
If you want to dazzle with the unique atmosphere of Quito’s Historic District during the night, do not miss Quito at Night (departures Friday and Saturday). A safe route through the illuminated city, which includes a one-hour stop at the traditional street “La Ronda”. We are sure you will love it!
