Taking a Taxi in Quito
There are over 10,000 taxis circulating the city of Quito in Ecuador, providing quick and comfortable transportation from one destination to the next. You can take a Quito taxi at any time of day, by either flagging one down on the street or from taxi stands near popular attractions. For an even better travel experience, you can book a Quito taxi in advance, use a Quito taxi app to order your taxi online, or phone a taxi dispatch company.
In Quito, taxis are yellow with a “TAXI” sign on the roof and can seat 3 to 4 passengers, depending on how much luggage you have. Drivers should have their municipality registration number on display to demonstrate that they are an official taxi. A taximeter will be used to calculate the fare price unless you are traveling from Quito Airport, in which case you’ll be charged a set rate fee.
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QUITO TAXI PRICES
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| QUITO CITY CENTER TO SAN JUAN | 2 € | 2.50 € | 8 MIN |
| QUITO CITY CENTER TO TELEFÉRIQO CABLE CAR | 2.5 € | 3 € | 15 MIN |
| QUITO AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER | 24.30 € | 24.30 € | 40 MIN |
| QUITO CITY CENTER TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD | 13.1 € | 15.90 € | 40 MIN |
| QUITO CITY CENTER TO BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL VOW | 2 € | 2.50 € | 7 MIN |
| QUITO AIRPORT TO LA FLORESTA | 25.70 € | 25.70 € | 40 MIN |
Quito Taxi Prices
Taxis in Quito are required by law to operate with a taximeter. However, some drivers may try to negotiate a flat rate, especially for routes outside the city limits. In these instances, it’s best to move on to the next available taxi.
Quito taxi rates are overseen by the Metropolitan Transport Services and Administration (EMSAT) and are based on the distance traveled, with different rates for traveling at night and during the day.
The current rates are as follows –
Base fare: $0.50 (€0.47)
Daytime Rate/km: $0.45 (€0.43)
Nighttime Rate/km: $0.55 (€0.52)
Keep in mind that unless you book your Quito taxi in advance, there may be additional charges on public holidays or for carrying large pieces of luggage. You will also need to cover any toll roads that you pass during your trip. The only exception to using the taximeter is if you catch a taxi from Quito Airport, in which case you’ll be offered a fixed fare price instead. To give you an idea, a ride from Quito Airport to the city center costs approximately $25 (€24.30) for up to four passengers.
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How to get a taxi in Quito
While many different taxi companies and cooperatives operate in Quito, keep in mind that there are unregistered taxis as well. If you decide to hail a Quito taxi service from the street – which is very common among locals – make sure that it’s an official taxi; check for orange license plates, a registration number on the front door, and the onboard video surveillance cameras that all legal taxis must be equipped with. A white, green, and red rooftop “TAXI” sign should also be visible.
Yellow city taxis are permitted to circulate the streets looking for passengers, however, you may come across some with black markings as well. These are typically from dispatch companies that are responding to a call, although during peak hour, you can generally hail any type from the street. Similarly, if you see other colored markings, such as red or green, these are usually from a different district.
It’s also common to pick up a taxi from a taxi stand. Nearly 500 designated stopping points can be found across the city, generally near busy locations such as popular tourist attractions like Plaza Grande, as well as transport hubs and shopping malls.
How to get a taxi from Quito Airport
There is an official taxi stand located on the lower level in front of the Arrivals Hall. Before you jump in a taxi, make sure you visit the taxi kiosk first, where you will be given a ticket with the price of your fare, based on where you are traveling to in the city. You will still pay your driver on arrival.
How to get a taxi from Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe
There is a designated taxi stand located along Pumapungo, just 1-minute walk from the terminal. As you exit the building, cross the road, and slip down the first street to the left and you will find a long line of taxis waiting.
How to get a taxi from Terminal Terrestre Carcelén
Taxis are allowed to enter the terminal complex and park up inside so you won’t have to walk too far, which makes it much safer if you need a Quito taxi service at night. As you exit the terminal building, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and you will see the taxi stand in front of you.
How to get a taxi from Plaza Grande
Grabbing a taxi from the historical center in Quito is easy. There is a “Parada de Taxis” along Venezuela Street adjacent to Independence Square where taxis are lined up at all hours of the day.
How to get a taxi from Basílica del Voto Nacional
As you come out of the church, you’ll notice a small park across the road called “Parque Gabriel García Moreno.” On the other side of this, you’ll find an official taxi stand marked with road paint along Vargas Street.
Most popular taxi apps in Quito
If you need to take a taxi at night or if the weather has turned bad, rather than walking the streets looking for one, it is much safer and more reliable to use a Quito taxi app to request a ride. Well-known ride-hailing services Uber and Didi are available, where you’ll be connected to an independent driver. Keep in mind that the vetting process for these platforms in Quito isn’t as thorough as it is for normal taxis, so always travel with caution.
For complete peace of mind that you’ll be met on time with a handpicked and trained English-speaking driver, you can pre-book your transfer with Welcome Pickups. This is especially recommended for trips to and from the airport when you don’t want to be left waiting.
Useful taxi numbers in Quito
Alternatively, you can phone a Quito taxi number directly. That way, you won’t need to worry about downloading or registering for an app, and you can ask your hotel or restaurant to call one on your behalf. There’s no extra call-out fee but you may need to wait up to 30 minutes for a driver to reach you.
Some official taxi companies in Quito that offer pickups over the phone include:
- Taxi Llamada Fácil: +593 22 666 666
- Taxi Aeropuerto Servi Quito: +593 098 748 2451
- Cooperativa de Taxis Real Audiencia de Quito: +593 22 592 514
- Taxis Quito: +593 939 283 553
Pre-book Your Taxi in Quito
If you want a stress-free travel experience, you can pre-book your Quito Airport taxi with Welcome Pickups. That way, you won’t have to worry about carrying money or waiting for a taxi late at night. Whether you’re looking for a ride to or from the airport, or if you’re headed to your next destination, you’ll have a professional, English-speaking driver and a private vehicle to deliver you there safely.
Quito Taxi Tips
- Not all taxi drivers in Quito speak English, so make sure to have your address or any other information written down in Spanish.
- Always make sure to have cash in the local currency (US dollars); try to avoid large bills as the driver might not be able to provide change.
- When you enter the taxi, make sure that the taximeter is set to the base fare of $0.50 (€0.47) before you start the ride.
- In Quito, all passengers in the taxi must wear a seatbelt.
- Official taxis will have their municipality registration number on display.
- Newer vehicles may have a white number plate with an orange strip along the top.
- To ensure peace of mind, 5-star service every time, and competitive, flat-rate prices, you can always pre-book your Quito taxi with Welcome Pickups.
- After 19:00, it is common for taxis to stop using the taximeter, even though they are legally obliged to. If you do need to negotiate a fare price, it is not unusual to be charged around four times the amount you would pay during the day.
- To help your driver with directions, know the names of the cross streets where you need to be dropped off and check that they know the destination before getting in.
- Rides to destinations beyond the city center such as Cumbaya, Tumbaco, and La Mitad del Mundo will be charged at a higher rate.
Wheelchair-accessible Taxis in Quito
Quito is not yet fully accessible, and getting around in a wheelchair can be challenging, especially when using public transport. To ensure a safe and comfortable journey, it’s best to use a taxi company with fully accessible vehicles. To pre-book a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Quito, you can call SafeRide at +593 2229 7458. Otherwise, if you have a foldable wheelchair, there is also the option of storing it in the trunk of a regular taxi.
Quito Taxi Safety and Complaints
Using a taxi service in Quito is generally considered safe. However, the quality of service may vary from one company and driver to the next. If you think you’ve been overcharged or wish to report unprofessional behaviour, make sure to write down the driver’s name, registration number, license plate, and the company they work with.
You can then contact the Ministry of Tourism in Ecuador at +593 2399 9333 to file a complaint.