Getting Around Cuenca: Tram, Bus, Taxi & Driving Guide for Expats

The Good News: You Probably Don't Need a Car

Cuenca is a walkable city. If you live in El Centro, Yanuncay, or El Vergel, you can handle most of your daily life on foot. For everything else, there's a modern tram, cheap buses, and affordable taxis.

Most expats in Cuenca don't own a car. Those who do tend to live in outer neighborhoods or want the freedom to explore outside the city.

The Tranvía (Tram)

Cuenca's tram is the newest and most modern transit option — a light rail system that runs through the heart of the city.

Route: Runs roughly north-south through the city, connecting the bus terminal area through El Centro and south toward the river.

Key stops for expats:

• Parque Calderón (El Centro)
• Mercado 9 de Octubre
• Feria Libre (Saturday market)

Cost: $0.35 per ride Hours: ~6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (check current schedule) Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes during peak hours

Tips:

• Buy a rechargeable tram card at any station — easier than paying cash
• The tram is modern, clean, and safe
• It recently hit 42,000 daily riders — it's well-used
• Seats fill up during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) — you may stand

City Buses

Cuenca has an extensive bus network covering most of the city and surrounding areas.

Cost: $0.30 per ride (one of the cheapest in the Americas) Hours: Approximately 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes on major routes

How to use:

1. Buses display their route number and destination on the front
2. Flag down the bus at any marked stop (look for the small blue signs)
3. Board through the front door, pay the driver $0.30 (exact change helps)
4. Exit through the rear door — pull the cord or shout "¡baja!" (getting off) before your stop

Key routes for expats:

• Routes along Av. Solano connect Yanuncay/El Vergel to El Centro
• Routes on Av. de las Américas serve the Ordóñez Lasso corridor and malls
• The Baños bus goes to the hot springs town (~30 min south)

Tips:

• Google Maps shows bus routes reasonably well in Cuenca
• Keep your bag in your lap, not on the floor — petty theft is the main risk
• Buses are crowded during rush hour
• Drivers go fast — hold on when standing
• Not all buses are wheelchair accessible

Taxis

Taxis are everywhere in Cuenca and remarkably cheap.

Rates:

• Daytime (6 AM - 7 PM): Minimum fare $1.75, then ~$0.40/km
• Nighttime (7 PM - 6 AM): Minimum fare ~$2.00, slightly higher per-km rate
• Typical El Centro to Yanuncay: $2.50-3.50
• Typical El Centro to Ordóñez Lasso: $3.00-4.00
• Airport to El Centro: $4.00-6.00

Rules:

• All taxis must use the meter (taxímetro). If the driver doesn't turn it on, ask: "El taxímetro, por favor."
• Yellow taxis are the official ones — registered and regulated by EMOV
• Tipping is not expected but rounding up to the nearest $0.50 is appreciated

Ride apps:

• inDrive — The most popular ride-hailing app in Cuenca. You propose a price, drivers accept or counter. Usually cheaper than street taxis for longer rides.
• DiDi — Also available, works like Uber
• Uber — Not officially in Cuenca (as of 2026), though it appears intermittently

Tips:

• For airport trips at odd hours, arrange a taxi the night before through your hotel or a trusted driver
• Many expats find a reliable taxi driver and keep their WhatsApp number — they become your personal driver
• Late-night taxi safety: use apps over street hails

Driving in Cuenca

Should You?

Honestly? Most expats who drive wish they hadn't bothered. Between cheap taxis, good buses, and the tram, having a car adds stress without much benefit — unless you regularly travel outside the city.

If You Want to Drive

License: You can drive on your foreign license for up to 90 days. After that, you need an Ecuadorian driver's license from EMOV (the municipal transit authority).

Getting an Ecuadorian license:

1. Valid cédula
2. Medical certificate from an EMOV-approved doctor
3. Written test (in Spanish)
4. Practical driving test
5. Fee: approximately $50

Buying a car:

• Used cars hold their value well in Ecuador (higher than you'd expect)
• Toyota Hilux, Chevrolet, Kia, and Hyundai are the most common brands
• Import taxes make new cars expensive — a basic sedan costs $15,000-25,000
• The used market on Patio de Autos (car lots on the south side) is where most locals buy

Driving realities:

• Traffic in El Centro is terrible. Narrow one-way colonial streets + buses + pedestrians = stress
• Parking in El Centro is controlled by EMOV and limited. Blue zones require payment via the EMOV app
• Gas is cheap: $1.85/gallon for Extra, $2.89/gallon for Ecopaís (prices rising — see latest update)
• Mountain roads outside Cuenca can be narrow, foggy, and have steep drop-offs. Drive cautiously, especially to Cajas and on the coast route
• Speed cameras are everywhere. Fines start at $100+

Getting Out of Cuenca

By Bus (Intercity)

The Terminal Terrestre (main bus station) connects Cuenca to everywhere in Ecuador.

Destination	Time	Cost
Guayaquil	3.5-4 hours	$8-12
Quito	8-10 hours	$12-15
Loja	4-5 hours	$8-10
Baños (hot springs)	30-40 min	$0.75
Cajas National Park	45 min	$2

By Plane

Cuenca's Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE) is right in the city — 5 minutes from El Centro by taxi. LATAM and Avianca fly to Quito and Guayaquil daily. LATAM recently added direct Cuenca-to-Galápagos flights.

Last updated: March 2026