Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Mariscal Sucre International Airport is about 18 km east of Quito in a straight line, in the parish of Tababela. Because the road drops into a valley and climbs back up to the city, the drive to central Quito usually takes 35 to 50 minutes in moderate traffic. During morning and evening rush hours it can take noticeably longer.

No. The current airport opened in February 2013 in Tababela, a rural parish east of Quito, replacing the old airport of the same name that sat inside the city. It lies in a valley at about 2,400 meters, lower than Quito itself, and is reached by highways such as the Ruta Viva and the Collas road.

Quito airport has one passenger terminal that handles both domestic and international flights, with separate areas for each. A 2025 expansion funded by the operator, Quiport, added about 17,600 square meters to the terminal, enlarging the international arrival and departure areas, the customs zone and the baggage system.

LATAM and Avianca have their largest Ecuadorian bases at Quito and fly both domestic and international routes. Other airlines include Aeroregional, Air Europa, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, JetSMART, KLM and United Airlines, linking Quito with cities such as Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Madrid, Amsterdam, Panama City, Bogotá and Lima.

Use the official taxi stands at the arrivals entrance of the terminal. Two authorized organizations, Cooperativa Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre No. 34 and the Asociación de Taxistas del Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre, operate 24 hours a day. Avoid accepting rides from people who approach you inside the terminal, and confirm your destination with the driver before setting off.

Yes. Public bus routes link the airport with the Río Coca and El Labrador stations and the Carcelén terminal in northern Quito, and with the Quitumbe terminal in the south. At these stations you can transfer to the Metro, Trolebús or Ecovía. Buses run from early morning to late evening, but the trip is long and crowded with luggage.

Yes. Uber operates at Mariscal Sucre International Airport 24 hours a day, and you can also schedule a ride in advance. Wait times may be longer for very early or very late flights, and trunk space is not guaranteed, so choose a larger vehicle if you have several bags and check the driver and car details in the app.

Most visitors need a passport valid for at least six months from arrival, and immigration officers may ask about the purpose of your trip and for proof of onward travel. Citizens of many countries can visit without a visa, but rules depend on nationality. An online customs registration is only needed if you carry taxable goods or 10,000 US dollars or more.

Avianca and LATAM fly from Quito to Baltra and San Cristóbal in the Galápagos, and some flights stop in Guayaquil on the way. Before your flight you must pre-register online for the Galápagos Transit Control Card and have it validated at the counter at the airport, then have your bags inspected before check-in. Allow extra time for these steps.

Otavalo lies north of Quito and Mindo to the northwest, and neither has a direct public bus from the airport. Travelers usually take a pre-arranged car or a taxi straight from the airport, or travel into Quito first and continue by intercity bus from one of the city's bus terminals. A rental car from the arrivals hall is another option.

Quito uses Ecuador time, UTC-5, all year, with no daylight saving time, so it matches US Eastern Standard Time in winter. Ecuador's currency is the US dollar. Because the airport sits at about 2,400 meters, days are mild and nights cool, so bring a light jacket for your arrival.

Mariscal Sucre International Airport is operated by Corporación Quiport. It handled about 5.4 million passengers in 2025, slightly more than the 5.3 million recorded in 2024, making it the busiest airport in Ecuador. It is also a major cargo airport, and flowers make up more than 90 percent of the cargo it exports.