Ruth Haines
Spending 11 hours at Quito Airport doesn't have to be tedious or frustrating. The airport is located about 40km from Quito's city centre, so if you're looking to explore the city, you have a few options. You can take a taxi or public transport to the city centre, which takes about 50-90 minutes, and explore the Old Town, the colonial sector, the Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus church, and the Plaza de la Independencia. You could also take the Teleferico sky tram for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains and valleys. If you're looking to stay near the airport, you can visit the town of Cumbaya, which is 30 minutes away and offers restaurants and shopping options. There are also day trips available from the airport, including visits to the Otavalo indigenous market, the Mindo Cloud Forest reserve, and the Papallacta Hot Springs. Back at the airport, you can take advantage of the free WiFi, 24-hour food options, and lounges that offer more comfort and privacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) |
| Airport Location | 15km from the centre of Quito |
| Distance from City Centre | 18km or 40km depending on the source |
| Travel Time to City Centre | 50-75 minutes by taxi, 90 minutes by public transport |
| Transport Options | Aeroservicios shuttle bus, public bus, taxi, Uber, pre-booked private transfers |
| Transport Cost | $2 for public bus, $8 for Aeroservicios shuttle bus, $25 for taxi |
| Airport Services | Free WiFi, 24-hour food options, massage services, medical services, SIM cards, duty-free shops, tourist information desk |
| Nearby Attractions | Old Town, Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus, Teleferico sky tram, Guayasamin Museum, Scala shopping mall, Mitad del Mundo |
| Layover Activities | Sightseeing, shopping, dining, resting, visiting nearby attractions |
| Layover Time Recommendations | 8-9 hours for a worthwhile trip to the city |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploring Quito: The airport is a fair distance from the city centre, so a layover of at least 8-9 hours is recommended. Official taxis outside the airport are affordable and take 50-75 minutes to reach the city centre
- Airport facilities: There are 10 eateries, three lounges, free WiFi, and 24-hour shops at Quito airport
- Sleeping at the airport: The airport is open 24 hours, and staff are tolerant of sleepers. It's quiet overnight, but the terminal can be cold and bright
- Leaving the airport: There are various transport options for leaving the airport, including shuttle buses, taxis, and car rentals
- Nearby hotels: The Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is located near the airport, and there are a few more hotels within a 12-minute drive
Exploring Quito: The airport is a fair distance from the city centre, so a layover of at least 8-9 hours is recommended. Official taxis outside the airport are affordable and take 50-75 minutes to reach the city centre
Quito Airport is open 24 hours a day, and staff are generally tolerant of sleepers, although there are no dedicated sleeping areas. If you're spending a long time in the airport, you might want to consider paying for access to one of the three lounges, where you can take advantage of WiFi, unlimited drinks and food, news and TV, and a quiet environment. Some lounges even offer shower facilities, and one has reclining chairs specifically for napping. There are also 10 eateries, including sit-down restaurants such as Johnny Rocket's, TGI Fridays, and Outback Steakhouse.
However, if you have a long layover, it might be worth exploring Quito itself. The airport is quite far from the city centre, so it's recommended that you have at least 8-9 hours between flights to make the trip worthwhile. Official taxis outside the airport are affordable and will get you to the centre in 50-75 minutes, while public transport options are also cheap but take around 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Once in the city, head to the Old Town, where you'll find the Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus, a beautiful church dating back to 1605. You can also hop on the Teleferico sky tram for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, or visit the Guayasamin Museum, the former home of painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, which now houses his work and personal collections.
If you do decide to leave the airport, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back and pass through security again before your next flight. It's also worth bearing in mind that if you need to check in for your next flight, or if you have to collect your luggage, you'll need to go through immigration and customs controls.
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Airport facilities: There are 10 eateries, three lounges, free WiFi, and 24-hour shops at Quito airport
Spending 11 hours at Quito airport is possible, as the airport is open 24 hours. However, non-ticketed individuals may be asked to leave overnight between midnight and 4 am.
There are plenty of facilities at Quito airport to keep you entertained during an 11-hour layover. If you're hungry, you can choose from one of the 10 eateries available. For Ecuadorian food, try Amazonia Cafe or Darwin's snack bar. For international options, there's New York-style pizza, burgers, chicken, and Tex-Mex. Sit-down restaurants include Johnny Rocket's, TGI Fridays, and Outback Steakhouse. Most eateries stay open 24 hours, both before and after security.
If you're looking for a comfortable place to relax, there are three lounges at the airport. For a single fee, you can access unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and a quiet environment. Two of the lounges, Salon Quito and Salón Mitad del Mundo, are open 24 hours and offer showers. One lounge has reclining chairs specifically for napping.
Free WiFi is available at the airport near the gates, and there are also pay-per-use internet and telephone kiosks in the Domestic Arrivals area.
There are a variety of shops at the airport, including shops selling SIM cards, and ATMs dispensing US Dollar bills located in the public areas on Level 2 of both arrivals and departures.
If you fancy a break from the airport, the city centre of Quito is a fair distance away, but it can be reached in 50-75 minutes by taxi or 90 minutes by public transport. There are also a few hotels located within a 12-minute drive of the airport, including the Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor, which is on airport property.
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Sleeping at the airport: The airport is open 24 hours, and staff are tolerant of sleepers. It's quiet overnight, but the terminal can be cold and bright
Spending 11 hours at Quito airport is possible, as the airport is open 24 hours. However, non-ticketed individuals may be asked to leave between midnight and 4:00 AM. The airport staff are tolerant of sleepers, but there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. The terminal can be cold and bright, so it is recommended to bring extra layers and an eye mask. Most of the seats in the terminal have metal structures and armrests, which are not sleep-friendly. However, there are some long, comfortable armchairs in the Arrivals Hall.
If you prefer a more comfortable sleeping environment, there are several hotels near the airport that provide shuttle services. These include the Wyndham Quito Airport, Holiday Inn Quito Airport, and Quito Airport Suites. Day-use rooms are also available at some of these hotels. Additionally, there are pay-per-use internet and telephone kiosks available 24 hours a day in the Domestic Arrivals area.
For those who want to venture outside the airport, Quito's city centre is a fair distance away. It can be reached by official airport taxis, which take around 50-75 minutes, or by public transportation, which takes about 90 minutes. The city offers attractions such as the Old Town, the Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus church, the Teleferico sky tram, and the Guayasamin Museum.
If you decide to stay in the airport, there are eateries and lounges available 24 hours a day. Lounges offer amenities such as WiFi, unlimited drinks and food, news and TV, and some even have shower facilities and reclining chairs for sleeping. However, these lounges may require additional fees or membership programs for access.
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Leaving the airport: There are various transport options for leaving the airport, including shuttle buses, taxis, and car rentals
If you're looking to leave Quito Airport and head into the city, there are several transport options available. The airport is located around 40 kilometres from the city centre, so it's important to plan your journey accordingly. Here are some transport options to consider:
Shuttle Buses
Aeroservicios is a shuttle bus service that provides transportation from Quito directly to the New Mariscal Sucre International Airport. This service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, without any intermediate stops. The airport is also served by public buses, which you can catch from outside the airport terminal. These buses are very affordable, with rates as low as $2, but they can take around 90 minutes to reach the city centre, depending on traffic.
Taxis
Taking a taxi is the quickest way to get from the airport to the city centre, with an average journey time of around 40 minutes. Official taxis are generally affordable, and you can find them 24/7 at the taxi rank outside the main terminal building. Cooperativa de Taxis del Aeropuerto is the official service provider. The taxi fare will depend on your exact destination, and prices are usually fixed. On average, the cost from the airport to downtown is $25 for up to four passengers.
Car Rentals
If you prefer the freedom of having your own car, you can consider renting a vehicle at the airport. Several rental car companies have counters in the public area of the Arrivals Hall, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Localiza, and Sixt. However, renting a car may be more suitable if you are familiar with Quito and there are suitable parking options at your destination.
These are just a few of the transport options available when leaving Quito Airport. Each option has its own advantages and considerations, so choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Nearby hotels: The Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is located near the airport, and there are a few more hotels within a 12-minute drive
The Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is located within a 2-minute drive of the airport. It offers a free airport shuttle service for guests, with departures every 30 minutes. The hotel has a fitness centre, an on-site restaurant and bar, and guest rooms with free high-speed Wi-Fi, 51-inch flat-screen TV, digital safe and iPod docking station. Other amenities include an on-site spa and room service.
If you're looking for other options, there are a few more hotels within a 12-minute drive of the airport. One such option is the Holiday Inn Hotel, which is located just 5 minutes from the airport and offers a free shuttle service. The hotel has 125 rooms, a heated outdoor pool with hydromassage, a Turkish bath, a spa, and a 24-hour gym. The "Sky Club" rates include preferential check-in, private breakfast service, an open bar with snacks, and access to a panoramic view meeting room.
Another option is the Rincon de Puembo, situated in the small town of Puembo, about 20-25 minutes from the airport. This hotel has received TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for 4 years in a row. Ilatoa Lodge is another hotel located about 20 minutes from the airport, on the slopes of Ilalo Volcano. It offers pristine nature, peace and tranquility, with fabulous views. All rooms have Wi-Fi, private bathrooms with hot water, hair dryers, and safe boxes. Local hiking and horse-riding tours, as well as cooking lessons, are also available.
If you prefer to stay at the airport, the staff at Quito Airport are generally tolerant of sleepers, even overnight campers. However, there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. The airport furniture is not very comfortable, with metal seats and armrests. The terminal can also be quite cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to bring extra layers and eye shades.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on what you want to do. The airport is around 40km from the city centre, so it can take a while to get there. If you want to see the city, it's recommended that you have a layover of at least 8-9 hours. You can get to the city by taxi, which takes 50-75 minutes, or public transport, which takes around 90 minutes.
You can wander the colonial streets of Ecuador's capital, admire the beautiful Andean countryside, or head to the Old Town and visit the Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus church. You can also hop on the Teleferico sky tram for panoramic views, or visit the Guayasamin Museum. If you want to do some shopping, the Scala shopping mall is a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport.
There are plenty of food options at the airport, including Ecuadorian fare at Amazonia Cafe and Darwin's snack bar, and sit-down restaurants such as Johnny Rocket's, TGI Fridays, and Outback Steakhouse. There are also pay-per-use internet and telephone kiosks, and three airport lounges.
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