Ecuador Travel

Arriving to Ecuador

Though not all countries have non-stop flights available, it is fairly simple to reach Ecuador from international destinations, and bus services are options between Ecuador and neighboring countries in South America.

Travellers from the USA & Canada

From the US and Canada, direct flights are available out of Miami (LAN, American Airlines, 4 – 5 hour flight), Houston (Continental, 5 hour flight), and Atlanta (Delta, 8 hour flight). Connecting flights are available from New York, Detroit, and cities on the West Coast with the airlines LAN, Avianca, Copa, Delta, Continental and Aero Galapagos. Flights leaving from the West Coast generally take 12 – 14 hours with one or two layovers. Travelers from Canada can organize their trips via one of the departure cities listed, for easier connections.

From USA the airlines available are:

LAN
Avianca
Delta
American Airlines
AEROGAL
Continental Airlines
Copa
Taca

From Canada there are no direct flights available, but connections may be made through the US carriers American Airlines, Continental, and Avianca and others. Flights take between 10 and 15 hours depending on the point of departure and the number of layovers.

Flights to Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil Airports from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and other European countries

Flights from the UK to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) may be booked with Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, KLM, Delta and LAN ,and take between 18 – 22 hours. There are no direct flights available, though flights with only one layover are available. The usual route for KLM departs from London to Amsterdam with the flight heading south, stopping in Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles). Iberia Madrid flights go to Quito and Guayaquil. There may also be layovers in Bogota, Colombia with some airlines. Flights from Europe always land in Guayaquil or Quito international airports.

From Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and Denmark flights to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) generally involve three layovers and a travel time of 22 – 25 hours. The airlines Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, KLM, Delta and LAN provide service to Ecuador from these countries. Trips depart from main international airports in those countries to Madrid or Amsterdam. Flights with KLM stop over in Bonaire. Some flights pass through Bogotá, Colombia. Flights from Europe always land in Guayaquil or Quito international airports.

Flights from France or Italy to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) also involve three layovers and average around 16 hours. Airlines flying this route are Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, KLM, Delta and LAN. The classic trip departs from main international airports in those countries to Madrid or Amsterdam. Flights with KLM stop over in Bonaire. Some flights pass through Bogotá, Colombia. Flights from Europe always land in Guayaquil or Quito international airports.

Flights from Netherlands to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) also involve 2 layovers and average around 13 hours, Airlines flying this route are Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, KLM, Delta and LAN. The classic trip departs from main international airports in those countries to Madrid or Amsterdam. Flights with KLM stop over in Bonaire. Some flights pass through Bogotá, Colombia. Flights from Europe always land in Guayaquil or Quito international airports.

Travelers coming from Spain can book flights through Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, Delta and LAN. Flights average between 19 – 26 hours and have at least two layovers.

Travel from Bogota to Ecuador is quick and generally quite inexpensive. Direct flights to Quito are available with the airlines Aerogal, Avianca, and Copa and take around 1.5 hours. Direct flights to Guayaquil are available with Avianca and last around 2 hours.

Flights from Lima are also short – a little over two hours – and direct service is provided by LAN and Taca, while Copa and Avianca have flights with just one layover.

Travelers from Santiago Chile may use LAN, which flies to Quito with stopover in Guayaquil. Flights are 5 – 6 hours in duration.

Those coming from Brazil do not have a direct flight option, but Avianca, Taca, and LAN all have one layover trips averaging around 6 hours.

From Argentina single-layover flights to Ecuador from the city of Buenos Aires are available with Taca, LAN and Copa and are between 7 – 8 hours in length.

Arriving to Ecuador by Bus from Colombia or Peru

Travelers choosing to enter Ecuador by bus may do so from the neighboring countries of Peru and Colombia. Direct bus travel is an option from Venezuela, Colombia and Peru, and travel with stopovers is possible from Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Approximate times from top destinations to Ecuador are as follows:

• Caracas: 2 and a half days
• Bogotá: 30 hours
• Cali: 20 hours
• Lima: 32 hours
• Santiago: 4 days
• Buenos Aires: 7 days
• La Paz: 54 hours
• Sao Paulo: 6 days
• Río de Janeiro: 7 days

Is important to know how to enter Ecuador from Peru or Colombia by land. Getting into Ecuador is not difficult but it is recommended to take these routes:

From Colombia

From Ipiales the capital of the Nariño department you must take a bus to the Rumichaca crossing check point. Always do this in the morning to stay safe. At the checkpoint you need your passport and declaration of taxes for the Colombian side. You then cross the international bridge by foot or in the same bus. On the Ecuadorian side you need to go through customs. The “Andean Travel Card” will be required, so don’t forget to complete it. You can then travel onward to Tulcan, the Carchi province capital.

From Peru

By Huaquillas

A typical entering point to Ecuador is via Huaquillas. The departure city is Piura, taking a bus or taxi. Be careful about the taxi that you get in—ask for recommendations from your hotel. The route is: Piura -Tumbes - Aguas Verdes (last Peruvian city) - Huaquillas (first Ecuadorian city)- Machala. Buses can be taken from Machala to Guayaquil or Cuenca, taking around 2 hours. It takes almost 3 hours from Piura to Aguas Verdes.

By Macara

From Piura two Ecuadorian bus companies Cooperativa Loja and Unión Cariamanga depart daily and transport you to Loja in the Loja province near Vilcabamba. The route is Piura – Sullana (last Peruvian city) - Macará (first Ecuadorian city)– Loja. It is also possible to take a taxi service that can transport you to these bus companies. They take you to the to the migratory check point at La Tina, close to Macara. The bus fee is $8 and it takes almost 8 hours from Piura to Loja.