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Travel - Internal
AIR: The national airline, TAME, flies frequently between Guayaquil, Quito and other destinations throughout the country. A number of small airlines serve the coast and eastern part of the country. Flying is the usual mode of transport for intercity travel. Other airports include Cuenca, Manta, Esmeraldas, Lago Agrio and Coca.
Departure tax: Twelve per cent of the ticket price, paid with the ticket.
Galapágos Islands: There are daily flights to the Galapágos Islands on national airlines from both Quito and Guayaquil; note that non-Ecuadoreans have to pay more for their tickets on this route (US$40 is charged for visiting any national park). The main airports in the Galapágos are Caráquez and Baltra.
SEA/RIVER: Ecuador’s rocky coastline makes coast-hopping an inefficient and even dangerous means of transport for visitors. Several navigable rivers flow eastwards into the Amazon basin. Dugout canoes, which carry up to about 25 people, are widely used as a means of transport in roadless areas, particularly in the Oriente jungles and in the northwest coastal regions. There are few passenger services between the mainland and the Galápagos Islands; once there, however, tourist boats, local mail steamers and hired yachts may be used to travel between islands.
RAIL: Children aged under three travel free; those aged three-11 pay half fare. The journey from Guayaquil to Quito offers spectacular views, as the train climbs to 3238m (10,623ft) in 80km (50 miles), reaching its highest point at Urbina (3609m/11,841ft). Railway enthusiasts will also enjoy the particularly scenic sections on the Alausí–Duran and Ibarra–San Lorenzo sections. Landslides caused by heavy rain frequently disrupt train services. Always check for further details on arrival in the country.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main north–south axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last ten years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizeable. The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcan, the frontier with Colombia. Bus: Long-distance buses leave from central bus stations (terminal terrestre) but timetables can be unreliable. Tickets should be bought in advance to secure a seat. Buses generally tend to be crowded and fairly uncomfortable. Taxis: These are widely available, particularly in larger cities and towns. Fares tend to be low but should be negotiated in advance. Taxis are metered in Quito, but rarely elsewhere. Taxis may be hired for a day for around US$60. Car hire: Avis, Budget, National and Hertz car hire companies all operate in Ecuador. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not required.
URBAN: Quito and Guayaquil have bus and minibus services operating at flat fares.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Quito to other major cities and towns in Ecuador.
| Air | Road | Rail | | Guayaquil | 0.50 | 7.00 | 7.00 | | Cuenca | 1.30 | 9.30 | - | | Ambato | - | 2.30 | - | | Riobamba | - | 3.30 | 3.00 | | Esmeraldas | 1.00 | 7.00 | - | | Puerto Ayora | 2.30 | - | - | | | | | | | | |
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