Airports
 Most international travellers arrive in Ecuador by air, flying into either Quito or Guayaquil. Quito’s Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre is the nation’s largest airport, but Guayaquil’s Aeropuerto Simón Bolívar handles nearly as much air traffic. A new airport currently under construction in Quito, slated to open in 2009, will become Ecuador’s largest.
 Ecuador’s national carriers are TAME and LANEcuador, offering direct flights to a few major cities in North America as well as regional destinations. Travellers from other parts of the world may have to connect in a larger South American capital before continuing on to Ecuador. Domestic flights offer a convenient way to get between the larger cities of Ecuador. TAME and Icaro handle most of the domestic routes, which are relatively cheap and reliable. Two of the islands in the Galápagos can also be reached by air from Quito or Guayaquil.
Public Transport
The most popular overland route to Ecuador is via bus from Peru. Most routes cross the border at Tumbes, Peru heading to Huaquillas, Ecuador. Panamericana Internacional and Rutas de America are the two main long-distance bus companies in the region. Adventurous drivers can also get to Ecuador along the Pan-American Highway, which cuts right through the country. This major artery runs to Quito, Cuenca and Macará, but it’s not a very practical mode of travel due to vehicle restrictions, bandits and poor road conditions.
 Within Ecuador, long-distance buses are the main form of public transport. All roads connect with Quito, making the capital the hub for all travel. Buses arrive and depart from the central bus stations in each city. Bus tickets are very cheap but should be bought in advance to ensure you get a seat. The buses are slow but offer the best travel option for short distances and between cities such as Guayaquil to Cuenca. The 22-seat buses known as busetas are the fastest choice, but the autobuses are usually more comfortable and often air-conditioned. Try not to travel by bus at night, and keep a close eye on your belongings.
 There is very limited train travel in Ecuador, but it’s possible. The tourist train which runs from Quito to El Boliche is the most functional, but if you want some excitement take the Devil’s Nose route from Riobamba to Sibambe. Within larger individual towns and cities taxis provide the most convenient means of transport. Only in Quito do the taxis typically use a meter. Everywhere else you must negotiate the fare in advance. Taxi drivers don’t expect to get tipped, and you can hire them for the entire day if you want to sightsee.
Hiring a car in Ecuador is easy you should have a valid driving licence from your home country, or an international driving licence. The minimum age to drive here is 20 years old. Please make sure your driver’s licence and vehicle registration are with you at all times as the law can be very strict. The validity of renting a vehicle is for up to 3 months only. To verify this, police may ask to see your passport and check the entry stamp.
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