Money at Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Quito, Ecuador.
Quito uses the USD ($). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly USD 8–35. USD is the local currency; small bills essential.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)?
Ecuador uses the USD ($). Airport ATMs dispense USD directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from UIO to the city cost?
Expected fare on the UIO → Centro route is roughly USD 8–35. Around USD 45+ is already high, and USD 60+ unofficial is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at UIO?
Not expected — round up. Drivers in Ecuador don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at UIO?
USD is the local currency; small bills essential. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of USD notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at UIO?
Only if you need $10–20 of USD to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.