Getting to Cuenca isn’t quite as simple as hopping on a direct international flight, but that’s part of what makes arriving feel all the more rewarding. Whether you’re a digital nomad heading in from abroad or already travelling within Ecuador, there are a few different ways to make your way up to this beautiful high altitude city.
Here’s a breakdown of the three main options for getting from Guayaquil to Cuenca, with first-hand notes, prices and tips to help you choose what’s best for you.
📍 View my favourite digital nomad spots in Cuenca on Google Maps
🕵 Read my digital nomad trip report on Cuenca, here
🚀 Need a dose of wanderlust? View my Postcards from Cuenca, here
1️⃣ Fly to Cuenca
Easiest if arriving internationally
Cuenca does have its own airport, Mariscal Lamar International Airport. And despite the name, it’s currently only served by domestic flights: primarily from Quito (5+ daily) and once a day from Guayaquil.
If you’re coming from abroad, this means you’ll need to first fly into Quito or Guayaquil and then grab a short domestic flight. LATAM offers flights from both cities; Avianca only flies from Quito.
Whilst the flight itself might only take around 50 minutes, don’t forget you need to add travel time to the airport (at both ends), security, check-in, boarding etc and that’s why a shared minivan is actually your best bet 👇
2️⃣ Take a shared minivan from Guayaquil
Cheapest
This is the option I went with, and honestly, it’s pretty solid. After flying into Guayaquil I booked a seat with Operazuaytur, a reliable company that runs minivans between the two cities.
They charge $12.50 per person for the 3.5-hour journey or $22 for a return ticket (as at April 2025). The vans are 12-seaters, and the drive includes a short 20–30 minute stop after about 2.5 hours. Personally, I could have done without the stop, it seemed a bit pointless so close to the end, but the ride itself was smooth and efficient.
Their website has been down for a while but they’re still operating and you can contact them here: Facebook || Instagram || Email
Operazuaytur’s Guayaquil departure point is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from the airport, or you can arrange a pickup directly from the terminal for a few extra dollars. But, considering how chaotic airports can be, I’d just walk to the little terminal. When you exit the airport terminal head straight out of the doors across the carpark to the other end. At the end of the car park is a gate with a security guard, he’ll usher you through and above you is a footbridge (“Paso peatonal aeropuerto”), walk across this and head towards Operazuaytur, which you can find on Google Maps, here.
In Cuenca, the drop-off point is slightly outside the centre, and keep in mind that the city doesn’t have Uber or DiDi — you’ll need to flag down a local taxi to get to your final destination. Normally taxis are readily available throughout Cuenca but this was the one time where I was stuck for about 15 minutes flapping my arms around. You can find the terminal here on Google Maps.
Note, when I say terminals, these are little garages, so don’t expect to see some massive international bus terminal, just follow the directions on Google Maps that I’ve linked above.
3️⃣ Book a private transfer via El Cajas
Best experience
This was my return option when I left Cuenca, and honestly, it was well worth it. If you’re travelling in a small group or want to make the journey part of the adventure, a private tour-style transfer is your best bet.
The price will change based on your group size (1-15), for an individual it’s $200 🫠 but for a group of four, for example, it’s $80 each and represents incredible value for money. The tour will pick you up from your designated spot in Guayaquil and drop you off at your accommodation in Cuenca.
Whilst the drive is normally around 3 hours, you’ll stop at a cacao farm (you’ll need an extra $10 or so as a tip), have a quick lunch stop (included) and also visit El Cajas for a relatively easy hike of about an hour. Just note that the altitude here is over 4,000m, so it’s pretty tough!
You can book this exact trip via Viator here, you’ll note it says Cuenca to Guayaquil, just let them know when you book that you’ll be going in the opposite direction.
