How to Get Around on Ecuador Buses: Absolutely Everything you Need to Know

In many parts of South America, public bus travel is the easiest and most comfortable way to get around the country. Unlike North America and many parts of Europe, Ecuador buses are generally very comfortable and offer Wi-Fi, movies, snacks, and more, making it a great and popular way to travel. They also run frequently and despite a lack of schedules and information online, they are generally easy to navigate.

We were very pleasantly surprised by the Ecuador buses during our recent trip and put together this guide to help you plan your trip around Ecuador by bus.

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Overview of Buses in Ecuador

There are multiple bus companies that operate in Ecuador. In general the Ecuador buses are well maintained and comfortable. Most of the large and popular cities are connected by buses that run frequently all day long. These bus routes will drop you off at smaller destinations along the way and if you can’t find a bus that connects directly to where you’re going you can usually find a bus to a nearby town and connect to your final destination.

We were concerned that we weren’t able to book tickets online in advance or at least see bus schedules, but this concern was truly not an issue at we were always able to get where we were going without an issue.

Buses in Ecuador are popular for both locals and tourists and you will likely be sharing the ride with a mixture of people. You have likely heard stories of robberies and negative experiences on buses, and while caution should always be used, in general bus travel in Ecuador is the best way to travel.

Things to Know About Ecuador Buses

Below are a few things you should know about Ecuador buses that will help you travel confidently.

How to Book Tickets

The best way to buy tickets are at the bus station, or on the bus itself. Most buses have plenty of space and you don’t need to buy your ticket in advance. The exception to this is if you are on a long distance bus ride or an overnight bus. When we traveled by bus from Banos to Lago Agrio on an overnight bus, we bought tickets at the bus station that day and were assigned seats.

If you are on a shorter bus route that runs more often, there is no need to book a ticket in advance. Simply show up to the bus station and find a counter to book tickets. You can also get right on the bus and the ticket person will come along shortly and you can pay there. Try to keep coins on hand as most bus fares are only a few USD.

If the bus doesn’t have change, they will give you a piece of paper with an amount written on it that you can redeem later for the change that they owe you.

How to Find Bus Schedules

I looked long and hard for bus schedules online. It turns out that online bus schedules are very uncommon and unreliable. The best way to find a bus schedule is to go to the bus station and ask them. If you are traveling by bus and don’t know the schedule, the best thing is to go to the bus station in the morning so you can plan and to make sure you can catch the bus that works best.

If you have a tight schedule, another option is to talk to the hotel or hostel you are staying at as they often can help you with the bus schedule.

Another option if you can’t find a bus that works for your schedule is to take a taxi or find a ride to take you to a different bus station or another town nearby. We finished hiking the Quilotoa Loop late in the day and there was no more bus to get back to Latacunga, however, it was not an issue as there are people waiting to drive hikers 15 minutes downhill to the nearby town where it was easy to catch a bus.

How Safe is Travel by Bus: Ecuador

It is always best to do your own research and take precautions in terms of safety when traveling. We will share our own experience but do not offer advice on travel safety.

We had read a lot of comments about how unsafe some bus routes and bus stations are in parts of Ecuador. Specifically the bus from Quito to Latacunga. While theft does occur, most people do not have a problem. The best option is to use the same caution you would us in other tourist areas around the world. Below are a few tips we used or found recommended:

• Keep your important personal items close to you (like you money, passports, etc) I like to hold a small backpack or fanny pack on my chest or lap.
• We saw mixed information on the safest way to keep your luggage safe. When possible, we simply kept our bags with us on our seat. If the bus is crowded, avoid putting your bags under your seat or above you. You can also put your bag in the space below the bus. This is locked and the only person with the key is the bus operator. We felt mixed about this, but this is where we put our backpacks on the longer rides.
• Stay Aware
• Don’t let your fear make you unkind. We were traveling with kids and our kids enjoying sitting with other kids and my daughter even held someone’s baby for a while. Smile and give up your seat to someone who needs it!
• We actually felt safer on the bus than we did in some of the bus stations. These places can be hectic and popular tourist sites.

Getting to Off the Beaten Path Destinations on Ecuador Buses

While it’s possible to find buses between major cities, when you want to get to a smaller destination you often won’t find a specific bus route, and unlike buses in other places, Ecuador buses don’t have set stops. If you want to get off at a stop along a bus route, simply tell the driver when you get on and then when you get close to the destination, walk to the front of the bus.

We were traveling from Lago Agio towards Quito, but wanted to get off at Papallacta. We simply told the driver and walked up to the front of the bus and got off. Be prepared with luggage slips as they want to keep the bus on schedule. The same thing is true if you are trying to get on a bus. Simply walk to the road and wave down a bus as it comes along the route.

Other Things to Know about Ecuador Buses

Below are a few additional things to know about the Ecuador Buses:

• Most buses (especially long route buses) have a bathroom on board in the back of the bus.
• On long haul bus routes, the bus will often stop for a quick break. This is truly a quick break – run to the bathroom or grab a snack and get back on the bus asap.
• Snacks and water are often sold on the bus at stops. Someone will get on the bus for a few minutes and sell bagged snacks or fruit.
• Almost every bus we were on had a movie playing – usually in Spanish. This can be entertaining or loud when you are trying to sleep. Consider headphones for long trips.

Other Types on Transportation in Ecuador

While we think bus travel is the best way to get around Ecuador, there are lots of other options to get you around. Do what works for your budget and comfort levels! You can find many transport companies that let you book private transfer. This is helpful if you are traveling somewhere that bus doesn’t go or if you are short on time.

Taxis are another common way to get around towns and cities and we used Uber when we were in Quito and to get into town from the airport. If you are taking a taxi, make sure that they turn on their meter otherwise they may try to simply make up an amount. These options are best for short distances.

You can also find flights to some parts of Ecuador. While Ecuador is small, it takes a long time to get to certain places.

Ecuador Bus Routes to Other Countries

If you are traveling through more that just Ecuador, you will likely cross the border on a bus. You will find these buses generally extremely comfortable – which is good because some of these routes are very long. Below are some of the common bus routes into and out of Ecuador:

Peru – Ecuador

This is a long bus ride that takes about 30 hours (Lima to Guayaquil). It’s worth paying a bit more for these buses as they offer extras like meals and blankets.

Quito to Columbia

This border crossing is more complicated as delays at the border can sometimes stretch up to 14 hours. The bus route costs somewhere around $30. To get over the border, you will take a bus then to the border. From here you will cross the border. Once you cross the border, you will need to take a taxi to the bus terminal to continue on your way.

If possible, try to arrive at the border on a weeknight.

See more about spending 1 Day in Quito.

Common Routes on Ecuador Buses

Below you can see a list of some of the common bus routes and their length.

Quito to Banos Bus: This route takes about 3 hours and runs every 30 minutes. The bus costs about $5.

Quito to Cuenca Bus: This bus takes about 10 hours and costs about 20 USD

Cuenca to Banos Bus: This bus takes just over 5 hours and runs just a few times a day

Guayaquil to Quito Bus: This is a long 23 hour bus ride

Cuenca to Guayaquil Bus: This bus runs frequently and takes 3 hours

Guayaquil to Montanita Bus: Buses run frequently along this route that takes about 2.5 hours

Quito to Coca Bus: This bus route runs a few times a day and takes about 7 hours (we took Cooperativa de Transporte Baños)

Amazing Destinations in Ecuador

Check out the destinations below that can all be reached on one of the Ecuador buses.

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