ALL AIRPORTS AIRPORT ESCAPE
ARRIVING AT

QUITO

Mariscal Sucre International · Ecuador
UIO
Medium riskUpdated May 2026Medium confidence

Airport is far from the city. Use the Aeroservicios shuttle or pre-booked transfers; confirm taxi fares before travel.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Aeroservicios shuttle to north Quito, or Uber/Cabify

Typical fare
USD 8 shuttle, USD 25–35 taxi
Journey time
45–75 min to city
Pickup
Outside arrivals
WARNING · Walk-up taxis often quote USD 40+; confirm fare before travel
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Aeroservicios shuttle
USD 8Every 30–60 min💵Cash
Uber / Cabify
USD 20–355–15 min📱App
Official taxi
USD 25–400–10 min💵Cash
Pre-booked transfer
USD 30–50Pre-booked💳Card—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Walk out to the Aeroservicios desk for the shuttle
  2. 2Or open Uber/Cabify for the rideshare zone
  3. 3Official taxi cooperatives use posted USD fares
  4. 4Plan 45–90 min to central Quito (45 km)
  5. 5Carry small USD for fares and tips
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
70/ 100
Stay sharp
  • Scam risk60
  • Public transport65
  • Ride-hailing75
  • Signage clarity80
  • Payment convenience70
04

Fare reality check

UIO → Centro
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    USD 8–35
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    USD 45+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    USD 60+ unofficial
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Aeroservicios shuttle

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    USD 8
    Journey
    60–75 min
    Wait
    Every 30–60 min
    Payment
    💵 Cash
    Pros
    • Cheap
    Cons
    • Only two city stops
  2. 2

    Uber / Cabify

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    USD 20–35
    Journey
    45–60 min
    Wait
    5–15 min
    Payment
    📱 App
    Pros
    • Fixed price
    Cons
    • Surge
  3. 3

    Official taxi

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    USD 25–40
    Journey
    45–60 min
    Wait
    0–10 min
    Payment
    💵 Cash
    Pros
    • Posted USD rates
    Cons
    • Pricier than apps
  4. 4

    Pre-booked transfer

    Cost
    USD 30–50
    Journey
    45–60 min
    Wait
    Pre-booked
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Driver waits
    Cons
    • Pricier
06

Paying without surprises

07

Common scams

Inflated 'flat' quote

Medium risk

Driver inside arrivals quotes USD 60.

HOW TO AVOID · Use the shuttle, an app, or the posted taxi rank.

08

What locals & travellers say

"Aeroservicios is the cheap, safe shuttle if your hotel is in the north."
Redditr/ecuadorChecked Feb 2025likely
"Uber works well at UIO."
ForumTripAdvisorChecked Jan 2025likely
09

Arrival checklist

10

UIO arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Mariscal Sucre International?
Aeroservicios shuttle to north Quito, or Uber/Cabify. Walk-up taxis often quote USD 40+; confirm fare before travel.
Are taxis at UIO safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: inflated 'flat' quote — Driver inside arrivals quotes USD 60. Use the shuttle, an app, or the posted taxi rank.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at UIO?
Yes — Uber / Cabify works at UIO. Typical cost USD 20–35, journey ~45–60 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
How much should a taxi from UIO to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the UIO → Centro route is roughly USD 8–35. Anything around USD 45+ is high — USD 60+ unofficial is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at UIO?
Carry small local notes — Aeroservicios shuttle expects cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Mariscal Sucre International?
Outside arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is UIO safe to arrive at late at night?
Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically inflated 'flat' quote. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
What scams should I watch for at UIO?
The most reported at UIO: Inflated 'flat' quote. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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