Has anyone heard about the closure of Quito airport? I
have just tried to book a ticket to fly into Quito on the
30th June 1999, but have been told I can't. I can only fly
to Guayaquil on the coast. Then, apparently, take an 8
hour bus ride to Quito. Does that sound right. Does
anyone know why it has closed? Has anyone taken the bus?
Any advice on Quito or Guayaquil would be appreciated.
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The closure of the Quito airport is news to me, but if it
turns out you have to go through GYE airport, you may want
to give the city a day of your attention (walking about).
Without knowing your time schedule or the sites you intend
to see...I'd suggest you take a flight to Cuenca from GYE
(about US$35 one-way, March 1999), hang out in Cuenca a
bit, then take a bus/train combo to Quito (assuming the
train is running, etc.). By the time you get there,
perhaps you could take a one-way flight (assuming time
constraints) back to Guayaquil. Alternatively, you could
take a bus. I really can't imagine the Quito airport would
be closed for any extended period of time, and it seems odd
that any closure would be planned this far in advance.
Regardless, I wish you luck on your journey! Ecuador is
lovely!
I live in Quito so I can confirm that the airport will be
closed around the time that you are planning on coming. It
was originally supposed to be closed for a week in May and
then for some reason that was delayed until the end of the
end of June. Last I heard, it is supposed to be closed
until July 2. They are doing some runway maitenance. It
is likely that there will be flights by local airlines to
Latacunga which is around 1 1/2 hours south of Quito so you
could take a bus in from there if you don't want to take
the bus all the way up from Guayaquil. 8 hours sounds
about right. My sister-in-law took the bus from Quito to
the coast and back last summer. They aren't the safest
looking, but it's the main means of transportation for most
people. It's a good way to meet the people. She had
really good experiences. I have not been to Guayaquil
other than through the airport, but if you stay for any
length of time, do be careful. There is more crime there
than in Quito. Have fun.