Take an authorized taxi from the arrivals hall for the fastest, most reliable transfer to Quito’s city center. Taxis (taxis autorizados) cost roughly 25–35 USD and typically reach central districts like La Carolina or the Catedral area in 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic. If you travel with more luggage or late at night, a coche with a fixed airport rate is a simple option. You can also book via cabify for a predictable pickup.
For budget travel, consider públicos buses, which connect Tababela to Carcelén or central Quito with an approximate fare around 1–2 USD. The route takes about 60–90 minutes and runs from early morning to late evening; horarios vary by day, so verify at the airport counter. If you land in noviembre, expect slightly heavier traffic in the afternoon and plan accordingly.
Private transfers and ride-hailing options offer comfort and door-to-door convenience. These privados services and cabify represent some of the mejores choices for a smooth transfer. A private transfer or cabify ride is handy when you want to avoid luggage handling at the terminal; these services drop you near your hotel or the historic center by the catedral. Prices are higher than the taxi stand on busy nights, but you’ll save time, especially if you’re arriving late or traveling with a group. Prices and wait times suelen vary with demand, so plan accordingly. If you want the alternativa, the públicos route exists but takes longer.
Practical tips to plan ahead Decide antes you land which path fits your schedule and luggage. If you arrive during the tarde rush (roughly after 16:00), a taxi or cabify can be faster, but expect traffic near central Quito. For la alternativa más económica, the públicos bus is a solid alternativa, with an approximate fare (aproximado) around 1–2 USD, and unos 60–90 minutos total. You’ll stop near the catedral area or La Carolina, then transfer to a local ride to your hotel. If your journey continues to Cuenca or other cities in Ecuador, consider catching a domestic flight from Mariscal Sucre after you reach the capital. Always check horario for the day and the service you choose, and confirm the final stop to avoid extra walking late at night. debe llevar una copia de la dirección del hotel para entregar al conductor.
Where to meet Uber or Cabify at Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Meet your driver at the Arribos curb outside the Terminal Norte. Uber and Cabify pickups share the public taxi zone along terminales, and the driver will recibir you at the curb. The car will estar acondicionado for your comfort. The idea is simple: reservar through your vuestro app, select Uber or Cabify, and confirm the tipo of car. The waiting time is aproximado mínimo 5-10 minutos, depending on arrivals. Local drivers trabajan well here, and you’ll often get a nuevo, well maintained vehicle. cosibo screens in the area may display ride details to help you spot the right car. The area está well lit and monitored for safety.
Pickup location and how to identify your ride
After collecting luggage, head to the norte side Arribos area and look for the rideshare signs. Both Uber and Cabify meet at the same curb near the públicos taxi lanes; the app will show your driver’s name and plate. Say hola when you spot the car and confirm the destino before you get in. If you’re heading toward Quitumbe or sucre, tell the driver your plan; routes are familiar. If the car isn’t there, refresh the app or reserve a nuevo private ride; the process is quick and minutos.
Tips for a smooth pickup
Keep your móvil ready, share your location via the app, and request an acondicionado car if you prefer cooling. Use the servicio of Cabify or Uber and choose privado if you want a private ride. Ensure you know the tipo de coche shown in the app and verificar la placa. If you need help, say necesito to the driver and they will assist. Reservar ahead helps you avoid líneas a los taxis públicos and get the mejor precio with a direct route to your destino in Quito.
Travel times from the airport to downtown Quito by taxi, Uber/Cabify, and public transport
Recommendation: Take an official airport taxi for a fast, predictable ride to downtown Quito. Typical fixed-rate fares to the mariscal area or Centro run around 25–30 USD, and the trip takes about 25–40 minutes depending on lunes traffic. The taxi desk is located in arrivals and está open 24/7; drivers can ayudar with luggage. If you deseo a longer plan, a consorcio desk at the terminal can arrange an excursión, and billetes for Cotopaxi day trips are often offered here. For destinos such as Mariscal and Centro, the ride termina close to most hotels; todo is simple when you confirm horarios and the exact destino before you go.
Uber/Cabify: For flexibility and value, use Uber or Cabify. Typical fares to downtown Quito run roughly 4–12 USD, and the ride lasts about 15–30 minutes, depending on lunes or noches traffic. Pickup is inside the arrivals zone or a nearby designated area; you can saber the driver with the app. The app provides a strong conexión to maps and payment, and you can pay by app or cash where allowed. Hemos found that grandes groups of two or three work well, and for quienes desean avoid language barriers these options offer solid reliability; además, surge pricing can raise the fare at busy nights. The pickup spots are usually allí near the exits, which makes it easy to find your ride.
Public transport: The cheapest option but with longer travel times. From the airport, take a local bus toward a central transfer point (Quitumbe or Carcelén) and transfer to Ecovía or Trole to reach downtown; total time 60–90 minutes, cost under 1 USD. Buses run from early morning to late night, and horarios vary by day. Carry billetes for the fare and watch your belongings; inside the terminal you can find an encuentro area to help you locate the correct bus. This option works if estás on a tight presupuesto and don’t mind extra transfers, porque you can see more of Quito and even catch a glimpse of cotopaxi on clear days; always check horarios and have a backup plan for destinos to reach your final stop.
Cost ranges and payment methods for each option

Take the official airport taxi for a straightforward, fixed-rate transfer to Quito’s city center. Typical fares are 25-35 USD to central areas (La Mariscal, Centro Histórico) during the day and about 40-45 USD at night. The tarifa is posted at the salida, and the driver cobra the quoted amount; payment is usually cash in USD, though some desks accept cards. If you want price certainty, reservar in advance through the desk or your hotel. Zonificación can affect the quote, especially if you head to outlying zonas; confirm your destino before leaving the aeropuertos. This option is reliable right after arribos and provides a direct dentro transfer to your hotel with a clear conexión to the city.
Option-by-option breakdown
| 옵션 | Typical cost to city center | Payment methods | What to expect | 팁 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | 25-35 USD (day); 40-45 USD (night) | Cash in USD; some desks accept cards; possible pre-paid vouchers | Licensed drivers, fixed-rate quote at la salida, direct ride to central Quito | Verify rate at the desk; ask for receipt; note the vehicle type (tipo) and license plate; confirm pickup near the correct salida |
| Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify, InDriver) | 15-28 USD typical; surge may push to 25-35 USD | App-based payment (credit/debit card or digital wallet); sometimes cash | Door-to-door service, shorter waits, option to choose vehicle type | Request pickup near terminal exits; check estimated fare before confirming; reserve ahead if arriving at noches |
| Public transport (bus/trole) | 0.40-0.60 USD per ride; total 1-2 USD to center | Cash to driver; exact change; some routes may use prepaid cards | Low-cost option with multiple transfers; longer travel time | Plan route numbers; allow extra time; consider taking a taxi to the bus stop if you have heavy luggage |
| Private transfer / hotel shuttle | 40-60 USD to central Quito; more for distant zonas | Pre-paid online or cash/card on pickup | Door-to-door, fixed time, helpful with bags and connections | Reserve in advance; provide flight details; if you continue to Cuenca or Sucre, coordinate the next leg |
Public transport is the most economical option inside the aeropuertos area, but it can dura longer, especially during noche hours or when connections are needed. If you plan to continue your trip toward Cuenca or Sucre, the private transfer or a coordinated hotel shuttle can simplify the transition, even if it costs more. Reservar ahead helps you avoid delays and aligns salida times with your flight arrivals (arribos); use the idea of zonificación to pick the most convenient route. For visual references, Shutterstock images often illustrate typical routes from aeropuertos to downtown, helping you decide the tipo of ride that fits your services needs and budget. Abril and noviembre can bring variable traffic, so factor noche rates into your planning.
Safety tips and how to verify drivers during airport pickups
Always verify the driver’s identity at the aeropuerto before you enter the vehicle, and confirm the car matches your booking details. This means significa a safer, faster transfer, so you should deb e trust your verification process from the moment you land.
Before you ride
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Follow zonificación and go to the designated lugar for pickups on the norte side of the terminal; avoid priv a dos who approach you in the arrivals area where cajeros sometimes direct crowds.
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Ask for the conductor’s nombre, company, and plate; compare with tu reserva; if it doesn’t match, inform airport staff (informar) immediately and do not board; this avoids mixing up coches and destinations.
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Prefer desks or cajeros at the aeropuerto exit where the company of fers servicios; if a driver offers a ride outside these spaces, you can cuenta on safer options posted by the airport, and vendor options they ofrecen.
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차량과 운전자가 예약 시 사진과 일치하는지 확인하세요. 뭔가 이상하다면 즉시 픽업을 종료하고 도움을 요청하세요. 알려진 대행사를 통해 더 안전한 옵션을 선택할 권리가 있습니다.
During pickup and ride
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친구 또는 숙소에 픽업 사실을 알리고 여행 세부 정보를 공유하세요. 이러한 조치는 주변 사람들이 정보를 얻고 필요한 경우 도움을 줄 수 있도록 하는 데 도움이 됩니다.
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경로와 주변을 관찰하십시오. 운전자가 경로를 벗어나면 정류장을 요청하거나 호텔에 지원을 요청하십시오. 그곳에서 신뢰할 수 있는 운전자와 협력하여 불쾌한 일을 피할 수 있습니다.
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예약한 회사와 동일한 차량을 이용하십시오. 차량이 다른 차량이나 다른 운전자로 변경하라고 요청하면 탑승을 종료하고 회사나 공항 직원에게 신고하여 다른 사람들이 더 안전한 환승을 할 수 있도록 하십시오.
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귀중품을 안전하게 보관하고 민감한 정보 공유를 피하십시오. 불안하다고 느껴지면 즉시 공항 보안 또는 회사에 연락하여 빠르게 차량 이동을 종료하고 상황을 신속하게 처리하고 통제하십시오.
실용적인 접근 방식: 항상 운전자의 자격 증명, 회사 정보 및 번호판을 확인하도록 요청하십시오. 이렇게 하면 갈등을 피하고 경로가 숙소 근처의 올바른 장소나 계획되고 안전한 투어로 끝나는 것을 보장합니다. 기억하십시오. 모든 곳에서 안전은 빠르고 명확한 확인으로 시작됩니다.
피크 시간, 늦은 도착, 수하물 처리에 대한 실용적인 팁
키토 공항에서 시내 중심까지 미리 예약된 차량을 이용하려면 도착 홀에 있는 tres agencias 중 한 곳에서 예약하세요. 공식 택시 punto로 가서 탑승하기 전에 고정 tarifa를 확인하세요. 피크 시간은 06:00–09:00 및 15:00–18:00이므로 rápida 픽업을 이용하면 15–25분을 절약할 수 있습니다. 데스크 근처에 게시된 tarifa tabla를 확인하고 운전기사에게 plaza central 또는 mejor 호텔 주소와 같은 destino를 알려주세요. diciembre에 도착하거나 나중에 쿠엔카로 이동할 계획이라면 데스크에 있는 Christian과 협력하여 horario에 맞는 servicio를 예약할 수 있으며 택시, 차량 공유 또는 호텔 셔틀 중에서 선택할 수 있는 opciones가 있습니다. 검증된 옵션을 선택하면 더욱 원활하게 시작할 수 있습니다.
도착 및 수하물: 모든 도착자는 정리된 상태를 유지해야 합니다. 통관 후에는 수하물 카트를 가져와 가방을 빠르게 옮기고 기내 반입 가방을 가까이에 두십시오. 회전식 컨베이어에서 가방을 찾아 공식 택시 데스크로 향하십시오. 이 지역 근처의 현금 인출기에서 팁이나 교통 요금을 위한 현금을 인출할 수 있습니다. 튼튼한 스트랩으로 가방을 고정하고 현지 신분증과 호텔 주소를 가까이에 두십시오. 나중에 coche를 alquilas할 계획이라면 도착 홀의 agencias에서 종종 어린이 시트와 함께 diferentes 옵션을 제공합니다. 올바른 연석에서 픽업할 수 있도록 zonificación 표지판을 따르고 대기 시간이 길어지면 코브라 미터가 소액을 추가할 수 있습니다.
늦은 도착: 항공편이 22:00 이후에 도착하는 경우 공식 데스크는 계속 열려 있으며 대기 줄이 짧습니다. 데스크 또는 차량 공유 앱을 사용하여 고정 요금을 받으세요. 혼자 여행하는 여행자나 가족에게는 이것이 가장 쉬운 방법입니다. 경로에 통행료가 부과되는 경우 미터기에 벌금이 표시될 수 있습니다. 출발하기 전에 총액을 확인하여 예기치 않은 상황을 방지하세요. 데스크를 찾을 수 없는 경우 차량 공유 앱을 통해 지정된 지점에서 픽업을 요청하고 해당 지역 연석 구역으로 이동하세요.
일반적인 팁: 더 편안한 이동을 위해 현지 지도나 앱의 구역 설정을 사용하여 픽업 지점이 어디인지 파악하세요. 짐이 많은 경우 큰 차나 미니 밴을 이용하면 시간을 절약하고 모든 사람이 편안하게 이동할 수 있습니다. 근처 광장이나 시장에 들러야 하는 경우 필요한 물품 목록을 짧게 작성하는 동안 운전자에게 잠시 정차해 달라고 요청하세요. 다른 여행자와 함께 차량을 공유하면 더 나은 여행이 될 수 있습니다. 다양한 옵션을 통해 편안함 수준을 제어할 수 있습니다.
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