Transportation in Ecuador

Transportation in Ecuador

In cities like Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, we’d recommend using Cabify. It’s similar to Uber, but has stricter selection criteria for its drivers. It’s cheaper and more reliable than street taxis. At places Cabify doesn’t go, there are still plenty of street taxis available all over Ecuador. In the case you take a taxi, it’s best to ask for one in your hotel or hostel. They know the local drivers, so you’ll be sure to get a reliable taxi.

 

For longer distance travel through Ecuador, you have four options: car rental, a shuttle service, busses and domestic flights. Long distance busses take you through most of the country. They are cheap and it works well. However, it’s not the fastest and most comfortable form of transportation. Therefore, most tourists choose either for car rental or for a shuttle service. Domestic flights are the fastest way to travel between Quito and Guayaquil. If you want to go to the Yasuni National Park in the Amazon Rainforest or the Galapagos Islands, a domestic flight is your only option.

 

Transportation in Ecuador

 

We’d only recommend renting a car to experienced drivers. Most roads are pretty good, but roads take you through the mountains. If you go to the more remote places, roads may be of lower quality. Also, when renting a car in Ecuador, you have to keep in mind that the overall driving style in Ecuador is more aggressive than you would encounter in Europe or North-America. Nevertheless, car rental is a very good option for the experienced driver. While you’re on the road, we’d be happy to advise you on the best itineraries.

 

A shuttle service is a rather convenient option. It’s comfortable, flexible and fairly priced. We have a large network with shuttle services in Ecuador. We’d be happy to help you find the best options for you.

 

In practice, most tourists who travel with us choose a combination of transportation methods. We pick them up from the airport with a shuttle service and give them a sim-card (needed for Uber and Cabify). They spend a few days in Quito where they mainly use cabify. For a few day trips, they use shuttle services. Some hit the road in a rental car to drive through Ecuador and many use a domestic flight for the Galapagos Islands or the Amazon Rainforest.


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