How to Get to Machachi from Quito
Machachi is located about 1 hour south of Quito and is the closest town to Cotopaxi National Park. If you are looking for accommodation in Machachi before climbing Cotopaxi, here are the best transportation options.
Transportation Options from Quito to Machachi
🚗 Option 1: Uber (Comfortable but Limited Space)
Taking an Uber is one of the easiest ways to get to Machachi from Quito or Quito Airport.
⏱ Travel time: approx. 1 hour
💵 Cost from Quito city: $15–18 USD
✈️ From Quito Airport: approx. $30–40 USD
🚘 Most Uber cars are small sedans
🎒 Limited space for large backpacks or mountaineering gear
This option is comfortable, but not ideal if you carry large expedition bags or climbing equipment.
🚌 Option 2: Bus (Budget Transportation from Quito to Machachi)
You can take a public bus from Quito’s southern terminal, in the “El Trébol” sector.
📍 Go to the “El Trébol” area in south Quito
🚌 Look for buses heading to Machachi
⏱ Travel time: approx. 1 hour
💵 Cost: approx. $1 USD per person
⚠️ Buses can be crowded, especially in the afternoon
This is the cheapest way to travel from Quito to Machachi.
🚐 Option 3: Private Transfer (capacity up to 4 passengers)
🏙 From Quito city: $30 USD
✈️ From Quito Airport: $50 USD
⏱ Travel time: approx. 1.5 hours
🚪 Door-to-door service
🎒 Ideal for mountaineers with equipment
This is the safest and most convenient transportation option for climbers traveling with gear.
📍 Location of Casa del Montañero
Casa del Montañero is located in Machachi, Ecuador, in the heart of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
🌋 45 minutes from Cotopaxi National Park
🏔 Surrounded by Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Corazón, Iliniza Norte & Sur, and Cotopaxi
🚗 About 1 hour from Quito
Google Maps location.