Cheap Flights from Quito to Guayaquil: The Complete Savings Guide
Need to cross from Ecuador’s highland capital to its Pacific port city? Search and book your Quito–Guayaquil flight with TopTravelCentre and compare every airline in seconds. If you are after cheap flights from Quito to Guayaquil, you are on Ecuador’s busiest domestic corridor — flown several times a day by two competing airlines, which is exactly what keeps fares reasonable on the short hop between the country’s two biggest cities.
💡 Ready to fly? Compare Quito–Guayaquil fares here and book the best price in seconds.
Quito–Guayaquil route at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct flight time | ~55 min |
| Distance | ~275 km (about 170 miles) |
| Origin airport | Quito–Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) |
| Destination airport | Guayaquil–José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE) |
| Direct airlines | LATAM Ecuador, Avianca Ecuador |
| Daily departures | 7–8 each way |
| Cheapest months | May–June and October–November |
| Cheapest days | Tuesday and Wednesday |
How long is the flight from Quito to Guayaquil?
A direct flight from Quito to Guayaquil takes about 55 minutes, dropping from the Andes down to the coast. This is a pure domestic shuttle — every operator flies it non-stop — so never book an itinerary that makes you connect. With seven to eight departures a day in each direction, you can pick the time of day that suits you and still arrive well before lunch.
Bear in mind that Quito’s airport sits in Tababela, about 45 minutes east of the city by road, so build that ground transfer into your total travel time. A taxi or ride from central Quito to the terminal is a fixed part of the journey.
See all airlines and times together: compare Quito–Guayaquil flights on TopTravelCentre in seconds.
Which airlines fly the route (and which are cheapest)
- LATAM Ecuador — the leading carrier on the corridor, with the most departures across the day and a full-service product including checked baggage on standard fares. Broad schedule and competitive pricing.
- Avianca Ecuador — the other main operator, with frequent daily flights and regular sales. Often the carrier that undercuts on price, so always check it.
With two well-matched full-service carriers competing head to head, the cheapest ticket is whichever one is running a sale on your date — and they swap often. Before you book, compare every Quito–Guayaquil flight at once on TopTravelCentre to see instantly which airline is cheapest for your exact date.
Airports: Quito–Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and Guayaquil–José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE)
Quito–Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)
Ecuador’s main gateway, located in Tababela about 45 minutes east of central Quito at high altitude (2,800 m). The road in is winding, so leave a margin, especially in afternoon rain. Authorised airport taxis, ride-hailing and shuttle buses cover the run into the city for a regulated fare. Arrive with time to spare at peak hours.
Guayaquil–José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE)
A well-regarded airport unusually close to central Guayaquil — often ranked among the better-served city airports in the region, just minutes from the downtown and the Malecón. Taxis and ride-hailing cover the short run into town for a modest fare. Quick to navigate, which makes it an easy airport to fly through.
When is the cheapest time to fly Quito–Guayaquil?
- May–June and October–November — the cheapest months. Ecuadorian domestic demand softens in these shoulder/rainy-season periods, and the airlines discount hardest here.
- Tuesday and Wednesday — usually the cheapest days of the week to fly.
- When to avoid on price: the December–January holiday rush, Carnival, and the July–August school holidays, when Ecuadorians travel in numbers and fares jump.
If you plan to continue from Ecuador to Europe afterward, pair this domestic hop with our Quito to Madrid or Guayaquil to Madrid guides, or see the broader cheap flights to Europe from Latin America overview.
6 real tactics to get the cheapest flight
- Fly Tuesday or Wednesday. The cheapest days on a domestic shuttle like this.
- Target May–June or October–November. Demand dips and the airlines discount hardest.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead. Enough to catch a sale, not so far out that fares have not been loaded.
- Always compare Avianca against LATAM. On a two-carrier route, the cheaper one is whichever is running a sale — they swap often.
- Check the included baggage. Both carriers here are full-service, but verify what your fare includes so you are not surprised at check-in.
- Compare both airlines at once. The only way to be sure. Our complete guide to finding cheap flights has more domestic tactics.
How much does a Quito–Guayaquil flight cost? (price ranges)
Checked on 09/08/2026. Booked a few weeks ahead on a midweek date in low season, a one-way Quito–Guayaquil ticket typically starts from about 55–85 USD on either carrier, with last-minute and peak fares climbing higher. Booked for the December–January holidays, Carnival, or the July–August holidays, the same ticket can reach 100–140 USD or more. These are ranges, not guaranteed prices — always check the live fare for your date.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Quito to Guayaquil?
Yes — LATAM Ecuador and Avianca Ecuador fly the route non-stop, with about seven to eight departures a day in each direction. The flight takes around 55 minutes.
Which airline is cheapest?
It changes by date. LATAM and Avianca are closely matched, and the cheaper one is whichever is running a sale on your day. Always compare both for your exact date.
How long is the flight?
About 55 minutes, direct. There is no reason to connect on this route.
Which airports will I use?
You depart Quito–Mariscal Sucre (UIO), in Tababela about 45 minutes east of the city, and arrive at Guayaquil–José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE), minutes from downtown.
What is the cheapest month to fly?
May–June and October–November, when domestic demand softens. December–January, Carnival and the July–August holidays are the most expensive.
Do I need a visa?
No. Quito–Guayaquil is a domestic Ecuadorian flight; a valid ID (cédula for Ecuadorians, passport for foreign visitors) is all that is required.
Summary: your plan for the cheapest Quito–Guayaquil flight
- Fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, ideally in May–June or October–November.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead, one way or round trip.
- Compare both airlines — LATAM and Avianca swap the cheapest spot often.
Once you have decided, the fastest move is to compare in one place:
👉 Search and book your Quito–Guayaquil flight on TopTravelCentre — best price in seconds.
Prices are indicative and vary by date and airline.