Chauffeur service in Quito: UIO airport transfers, private cars and Andes day trips

How to book a Quito airport transfer

Enter your flight number, the hotel or address and the vehicle class in the booking engine here or at /book/. The fare shown is fixed, with the chauffeur, fuel and waiting time included and no meter or surge; Mariscal Sucre airport fees and gratuity are added at actual cost. Our 24/7 desk in Toronto dispatches to a vetted Quito affiliate. Delegations, film crews and multi-vehicle Galapagos connection programmes are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing.

The UIO drive: why it takes longer than the map suggests

Quito's airport moved in 2013 from the middle of the city to Tababela, on the eastern side of the Andes ridge, and the old airfield became the Parque Bicentenario. The terminal is about 40 to 45 km from the historic centre by road. Most transfers use the Ruta Viva through Cumbaya and Tumbaco or the shorter Ruta Collas link to the north; the chauffeur chooses on the day. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic and up to 90 minutes in the weekday peaks, roughly 7:00 to 9:30 and 16:00 to 19:30. Late at night the drive can drop to 35 to 45 minutes. Because the fare is fixed at booking, a slow Ruta Viva does not change the price.

Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International

UIO has one terminal. International passengers pass immigration and customs before reaching the arrivals exit, and standard pickup is curbside at the airport's pre-arranged pickup area, where the chauffeur meets you after messaging the spot and plate. A name-board meet and greet inside arrivals is an add-on; add-ons are only available in selected locations. Flights are tracked; waiting included is 60 minutes from landing on international arrivals and 30 minutes on domestic flights from Guayaquil or Cuenca, then 15-minute blocks. The Quito airport site lists current terminal services.

Altitude: what it means for your first day

Quito sits at about 2,850 m, and the airport at about 2,400 m, so many travellers arriving from sea level feel short of breath, tired or headachy on day one. A car removes the walking, stairs and luggage handling that make it worse. If you plan Cotopaxi, whose park roads pass 3,800 m, schedule it after a day or two in the city. Andean weather changes fast: bright mornings, afternoon rain and cold nights are normal year round.

Journey times from Quito

Old town, north Quito and the valleys

The Centro Historico, one of the first two places listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, holds the Plaza Grande, the Compania church and hotels such as Casa Gangotena and the Hotel Plaza Grande. Streets are steep, narrow and partly one-way, so drop points are chosen carefully. North of it, La Mariscal and La Floresta mix hotels, restaurants and nightlife, while the La Carolina park area and Avenida Republica de El Salvador hold banks, embassies and the JW Marriott and Swissotel. East of the ridge, Cumbaya and Tumbaco are warmer valley suburbs with international schools and new offices, conveniently on the airport side.

Events and busy weeks

• February or March: Carnival, a national holiday with heavy traffic out of the city.
• Holy Week: the Good Friday procession of Jesus del Gran Poder fills the historic centre.
• Around the June solstice: Inti Raymi celebrations in Otavalo and Cotacachi to the north.
• Early December: the Fiestas de Quito around the city's founding anniversary on 6 December, with concerts and closures.

Congresses use the Quito convention centre at Parque Bicentenario and the large hotels. Multi-car moves are covered by event transportation.

Driving and pico y placa

Ecuador drives on the right and uses the US dollar. Quito applies pico y placa to private vehicles by plate digit during the weekday peaks, and the affiliate assigns a vehicle cleared to circulate at your time. The Metro de Quito line, open since late 2023, runs north to south through the city but not to the airport. Mountain roads outside the city are well paved on the main routes but slow behind trucks. Book city tours and day trips for Cotopaxi or Otavalo so the car stays with you.

Vehicles and fares

A Standard Sedan suits one or two travellers. An executive SUV is the better choice for Cotopaxi's gravel park roads, for Galapagos luggage and for families. A Standard Black SUV or Sprinter Van moves a group, and minicoaches carry larger programmes. See the fleet and rates; child seats are free on request.

Galapagos connections through Quito

Flights to Baltra and San Cristobal leave from UIO, many routing via Guayaquil. Galapagos visitors buy a transit control card at the airport before check-in and pay the national park entry fee on arrival, and proof of travel health insurance is required for the islands. Check current rules on the Galapagos government site. A hotel-to-UIO transfer timed for the early Galapagos departures usually leaves the city before dawn.

Entry and security in 2026

Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU generally enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days in a 12-month period, with a passport valid at least six months. Since July 2025 arrivals also complete a free online customs registration form. The US State Department rates Ecuador at Level 2, exercise increased caution, with higher levels for specific areas; check the US travel advisory before you go. In Quito, pre-booked transport from the airport and at night is the common recommendation. Secure transportation is available on request.

Other cities nearby

Guayaquil is a 50-minute flight away, Bogota about 1.5 hours and Lima about 2 hours. See the Ecuador page.

Cancellation: free more than 72 hours before pickup, 10% within 72 hours, 50% within 48 hours, 100% within 24 hours or for a no-show.

Book your chauffeur in Quito