Book the best bus tickets from Cuenca to Quito

Taking a bus through Ecuador is the best way to see the landscapes that make it famous all around the world.

Traveling from Cuenca to Quito, you will feel a deep connection with a great mix of nature and cities. You can’t miss the opportunity of experience or traveling through the Andes.

There is the option of a quick trip by air, but that costs a lot of money (because of the hidden fees to include luggage) and represents less adventure. Going via the road is how you really get to experience the real Ecuador.

For these reasons at AndesTransit we truly believe that bus travel is the most authentic way to get about. Locals choose to travel this way, and you should too!

You can use the Reserve Now button above to book your bus from Cuenca to Quito now, or maybe you would prefer to first check out our epic “Cuenca to Quito Bus Journey Guide” below!

What are the buses in Ecuador like?

The quality of buses in Ecuador varies a lot. Cheap buses means they are old and quite uncomfortable. They are not highly recommended, but they will take you where you need to go if you don’t mind flat seats and people standing next to you. Basic seating warning: if you get a seat (usually buses are oversold) it’s not going to be very comfortable.No toilets or on-board entertainment. And don’t you dare dreaming of air-con! Besides that, the view is still wonderful.

But Ecuador offers great comfortable options if you are looking for something better. Travel with higher-priced companies will ensure your trip to have reclining seats, with climate control and clean windows to have a view of the landscapes.

Fortunately for you, you can find very good buses for surprisingly low prices in Ecuador. More on that in a minute.

How long is the bus ride?

The ride from Cuenca to Quito is 469 km (291 miles) and should take roughly 7/8 hours in a private car service like the ADN Shared Shuttle (taking up to four passengers) or around 10 hours if you go by bus.

Unexpected variations in trip duration can happen. Factors such as weather conditions and any unforeseen incidents on the road may delay your trip.

Let’s assume you are going with the ADN Shared Shuttle (our top recommendation for this route), get ready for a picturesque 7 hours ride.

This option will allow time to explore your destination within the same day. This route is beautiful, but nothing should take away your sleep time. When travelling, get a couple of hours of appreciated sleep to get ready for the adventure in Quito.

The journey itself it’s a whole experience. You will get the chance to see blue and green hills, draped in rugged, windswept eucalyptus forests. And much more!

On the way you will see small and pretty towns that seem out of a storytale, their houses and buildings decorated in every color you can imagine.

Andean music will fill your trip, and if you’re lucky you may even get some live musicians playing their guitar and singing on-board.

In this airplane-dominated era, traveling by land will allow you to experience Ecuador as a local.

What is the cost of traveling by bus from Cuenca to Quito?

The bus ticket from Cuenca to Quito can cost anywhere from $17 - $36.

There are several factors that can affect the price:

When you go

Weekends or holidays are always a little more expensive. Bus tickets between Cuenca and Quito are usually cheaper from Monday to Thursday and expect to pay a bit more on Fridays and Sundays. You can get some good deals on Saturday too.

When you book

Booking in advance is recommended, you won’t have to pay extra for travel on a special service arranged by the company to meet the demand.

Which Bus Carrier you Choose

Again, there’s a big difference between the quality of buses in Ecuador. You get what you pay for! If you want a more comfy experience - like climate control, reclining seats, toilets and entertainment - you’ll spend a bit more. Considering that the price difference between buses is $19 on top, looks like a good deal!

What are the bus schedules from Cuenca to Quito?

Bus systems have improved a lot in Latin America lately, but you’ll need to keep a few things in mind though.

Always try to keep your good sense of humor, ¡you’re on a trip! South America is known for its changing schedules.

Be careful, not all of the online booking systems have up to date schedules; and some bus carriers websites will show old information too!

Once you’re aware of that, you can choose to use AndesTransit. And you’ll don't have to worry about any schedule issues. We will keep you updated. Our safety check system involves personal relationships with all the carriers, and a permanent online follow-up. So you will always get up to date bus schedules and a personal assistant checking with the bus carriers on your behalf to get the word of any rapidly changing conditions.

Where can I book bus tickets from Quito to Cuenca?

You two options here:

Online

The fastest, cheapest and most reliable way of booking a bus in Ecuador, no doubt! Getting a ticket these days is just making a click in the Reserve Now button above, making it an enjoyable experience.

If you’re looking after the best ticket from Cuenca to Quito, let the AndesTransit expert team help you.

In-person

Sincerely, we don’t recommend this option. Although it is possible, you could easily get yourself to the bus office to find out that the bus time you wanted is no longer available, or there are no seats. That involves changing your plans, losing time and making you worry, when there's no need to.

And unless you plan on leaving it to the last minute to find out, you’ll have to go twice, once to buy your tickets and later to catch the bus.

Why book with AndesTransit?

At AndesTransit we truly believe in providing great customer service. That’s why, unlike South American travel agencies, our digital platform provides the most up to date bus schedules, while offering tickets and courier services at prices that work in your favor and respect your time.

You can tell that we make customer satisfaction our number one priority because we show you all the bus carriers, not just the ones that can be booked online through us.

At the end of the day, what we want more than anything is to help you get the best possible experience, so you get the most out of your travels.

When you’re travelling to Quito you want to get there as soon as possible, but you don’t want to miss anything on the route.

We’re fully committed to prove the most comprehensive bus route information and make booking easy and reliable.

What is the best bus from Quito to Cuenca?

When it comes to our bus carriers running the Cuenca to Quito route, we have some options:

ADN Shared Shuttle. This is not a bus, but instead a shared service that takes up to seven people. A modern car and a fast service for just $36. It makes the route in just 7 hours, 3 less than a bus would take.

Expreso Sucre. Buses have reclining seats, climate control, and entertainment on-board! At only $18 and taking 10 hours to make this route with a service you can trust.

Private Express Shuttle: There’s also a private option you can get only at AndesTransit. For $230 you can ask for a private service in a three-passenger vehicle. It will take you to your destination safely offering you extra space for your luggage If you are traveling with your pet or special luggage, this is your best option, as you can request stops on the road, and to be picked up directly from your home or hotel and be dropped off at your desired location.