Frequently Asked Questions

Wanderbus

FAQ

All you need to book is your start date, your first pick-up point, and your stops. And you’re on your way!

Once you have bought your pass, the Wanderbus will pick you up from a pre-agreed pick-up point. Upon booking, you can choose where your pick-up will be. See pick up points. You must bring the receipt of the pass you purchased with you and give it to the Wanderbus guide.

If you need help, you can call or whatsapp our call centre on +593 998 69 19 193 or +593 02 322 74 64, extension 106. We are available from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM (GMT-5). Or send us an email to info@wanderbusecuador.com

Simply login to our website and change your travel date. If you’re already in Ecuador, you can rearrange your trip via the website, or you can tell you Wanderbus guide about you change of plans. Any changes must be made 24 hours prior to the bus’ departure; if not, the system will not allow you to change the date. If you need a last minute change, please contact us directly so we can help you.

First, decide where you want to go (if you are not sure, check out our planning guide – we’ve got decades of experience traveling Ecuador!). Then, decide your start and end points, check to see which of the passes fits them best, and voilà! After that, don’t forget to add on our incredible extra activities.

See our How it Works page!

If you are able to book a seat or make a change through our system, your seat is confirmed and you don’t have to do anything else.

  • Option 1: Go to your email and check your booking reference number.
  • Option 2: Log into your Wanderbus profile and access all your information online.
  • Option 3: Contact any of the Wanderbus crew and with your name and passport number -- we can help you out.

If you would like to add accommodation to your ticket, we have the option to book either dorm rooms or private rooms for you in hand-selected hotels and hostels. Simply add one of these options to your cart at check out and we will book all your hotels or hostels for you!

If you would like to book your hotels or hostels on your own, we recommend contacting hotels and hostels directly to confirm prices and availability. For your convenience, we have a great selection of Backpacker Hostels, Guesthouses, Lodges and Hotels in all our locations on our recommended list of hotels and hostels to suit every budget and travel style.

If you book your accommodation with us, you can choose between staying in dorms in hostels or private rooms in mid-range hotels.

Your Wanderbus pass includes breakfast on the Quito to Baños route. For all other meals, you will have to pay on your own (nothing is more than $5, and your money goes directly to the communities). We offer several stops at great restaurants, cafés and markets on the way, giving you the chance to grab a meal or stock up on snacks.

Wanderbus passes do not include flights, but we can help you find the best flight for you. Get in touch!

Wanderbus does not offer airport transfers, but we do pick you up from the main touristic areas of Quito, Baños, Cuenca and Montañita, as well as very close to Guayaquil airport.

First, decide where you want to go (if you are not sure, check out our suggestions – we’ve got decades of experience of travelling Ecuador!). Then, decide your start and end points, check to see which of the passes fits them with best, and voilà! After that, don’t forget to add on our incredible extra activities.

Your Wanderbus pass includes trips on the new tour bus, the best local guides, the safest and most experienced drivers, and all activities and tours.

The Wanderbus offers hotel and hostel pick up only in Quito since the city is very large. If you’re staying in another accommodation (AirBnB, friend’s house, another hotel or hostel, etc.) you will have to meet at one of our set pick-up points in touristic areas, at either The Blue House Hostel in Plaza Foch or Plaza Belmonte in the Old Town.

In Baños, Alausi, Cuenca, Montañita, Puerto Lopez, Mindo, and other hop-off points we only offer set pick up points from the main touristic areas. Due to the logistics of some streets or neighborhoods, as well as the small size of these cities/towns, we are not able to pick up everyone from their individual hostels or hotels.

You can use our planning guide to see where the pick up points will be so you can plan your trip accordingly. Also, check out our list of hotels and hostels to see where we have pick ups in Quito to plan your trip.

Wanderbus Ecuador departs 6 days a week from Quito, except Sunday, and 3 days for all other routes (Baños > Quito, Baños > Cuenca, Cuenca > Montañita, and Montañita > Quito). Please check our timetable section.

The distance between the stops varies but you will not be on board for more than three hours straight without stopping.

The distance between the stops varies but you will not be on board for more than three hours straight without stopping.

Your basic packing list should include:

  • Backpack
  • Sun screen
  • Bug Spray
  • Sunhat
  • Camera
  • Hiking boots
  • Cosy jacket
  • Wind breaker
  • Bathing suit
  • Credit card
  • Plenty of cash in bills smaller than US$50
  • Travel insurance
  • Wanderbus Ecuador guides
  • Your passion for independent travel

Your guide works tirelessly each day to make your wandering as wonderful as can be! Show him or her some love with a small tip – US$5-10 per day is about right.

We offer tons of extra tours and activities that complement our service around Ecuador. See our Wanderbus Extra Tours.

No! Fear not: our vehicles and routes adapt to all ages, interests and abilities. If you want flexible travel, this is the tour for you.

We offer a family discount for families of 4: buy 3 passes, get 1 free. Children under 2 years-old travel free. We also offer special prices for our extra tours and activities to all our Wanderers. There are no student discounts.

Your daily budget depends on how much you are willing to spend at each stop, and on what activities you are expecting to do. Ecuador is a cost-effective destination, but this also depends on what standard you choose to travel. As a base reference we suggest a minimum of US$20 per day without activities and around US$60 with activities.

Ecuador’s wildly diverse geography means that separate climates and seasons are at play within each region, but there’s not a huge difference from month to month. That said, the weather here is famously changeable and, especially in the highlands, you can experience all four seasons in one day! The coast is consistently warm and humid and the mountains can get very cold, snowy even.

See our Ecuador travel guide for more weather information.

You don’t need a visa for trips up to 90 days. A tourist visa is issued by Immigration upon arrival. Visas for longer stays can be arranged once you are here. You will need travel insurance to travel with Wanderbus Ecuador.

See our Ecuador travel guide for more weather information.

  • https://www.consuladovirtual.gob.ec
  • https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec

Hop-on, hop-off transportation travels a set route with predetermined stops. You can get off at any of these stops, spend as much time as you choose there, then re-board and carry on the set route.

Our offices are located at Via la mitad del mundo, Manuel Cordova Galarza km 7, Pusuqui -Quito 170525. Office hours: 8:30 -17:30

Wanderbus Ecuador travels to:

  • Quito
  • Cotopaxi
  • Quilotoa
  • Baños
  • Puyo
  • Piakawe Lagoon
  • Puerto Misahualli
  • Tena
  • Santa Rita Community
  • Papallacta Thermal Springs
  • Chimborazo
  • Riobamba
  • Cacha ceremonial center
  • Guamote and other markets
  • Ozogoche
  • Alausí (for the Devil’s Nose Train – included in your ticket price)
  • Cuenca
  • Gualaceo and Chordeleg
  • Pumapungo ruins and the Turi viewpoint
  • Ingapirca
  • Cajas
  • Guayaquil
  • Montañita
  • Los Frailes Beach
  • La Entrada
  • Ayampe
  • Las Tunas
  • Puerto Rico
  • Puerto López
  • Agua Blanca community
  • Family farm in Chone
  • Mindo
  • Amazon
  • And many other stops along the way!

Wanderbus Ecuador is a perfect travel option for everyone: we welcome all kinds of groups, families, friends, couples, or single adventurous travelers of all nationalities – that’s what makes Wanderbus Ecuador so interesting, diverse, and a great place to meet new friends!

Each pass is valid for one year from the start date, and can be used only once in each section of the route.

Passes must be reserved at least 24 hours before departure, but be aware that spaces fill up quick – reserve early to avoid disappointment!

As travelers ourselves, we know that when you’re on the road, anything can happen. That’s why we allow you to repeat the trip should something come up, once you have shown the supporting verification.

You can make any changes up to 24 hours before your new departure date, if there is availability on that day. For that reason, we recommend making changes at least two days before departure or sooner.

You can pay for your pass using a major credit card through our online booking system, or you can visit us in our offices – see map and details

Book online on our website or with your on-board local guide.

The great majority of Ecuador has been ruled safe for travel by the UK Foreign Office and the US State Department rates it Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

  • Men and women traveling alone choose the Wanderbus for safety reassurance and to meet friends with whom to share their adventure.
  • Couples who want to make the most of their time opt for the Wanderbus as it’s the most convenient way to get around Ecuador.
  • Groups of adventurous friends are regulars aboard the Wanderbus as we visit the most sought-after destinations.
  • Anyone else who wants to travel flexibly takes the Wanderbus to experience the real Ecuador.

On pick-up, hand luggage will be verified, which can be a backpack no heavier than 8kg and the hold baggage no heavier than 20kg.

If you don’t show up at the scheduled time on the selected day, you will be charged US$50 and will be able to reschedule your departure. If this happens a second time, the charge will be US$100.

We offer a range of tours to the Galapagos Islands. Click here to see them.

Yes! You can choose from a number of passes that go to the Amazon, which include the Wanderpass + Amazona Pass, the Wanderpass Express, the Cotinga Pass, and the Amazona Pass. See our passes page for more information. We also offer add-on tours to the Amazon. See our extra tours section for more information.

Yes, it is, if you are traveling on a pass that includes the Alausi to Cuenca leg of the tour.

  • Cancellation must be made through our website wanderbusecuador.com.
  • The return of payments made in cash should be collected from the following address: Valladolid N24-296 and Francisco Galavis, Quito, Ecuador.
  • If for any reason you need to cancel and you notify us a minimum of 30 days in advance of your departure date, the value of the deposit will remain secure until you are ready to use it on a journey of the same or greater total value, valid to be used within one year. After one year, you will lose the paid amount and the opportunity to reschedule the route. Reimbursement of the deposit will not apply.

The cancellation fee will depend on the number of days before the trip departure date (excluding the day of departure and the day of notification). If you cancel less than 14 days before your departure date there will be no refund, if you cancel between 14 to 30 days in advance you will receive a 50% refund, and if you cancel more than 30 days in advance you will receive an 80% refund.

The tours offered by WANDERBUS ECUADOR are designed for passengers of all ages — we’ve had travelers from 5 to 85! Our tours are designed for people who love to travel and adventure. Please keep in mind that our tours include activities such as light hiking and high altitudes. Let us know if you have a medical condition that could affect your trip, and we’ll be happy to help.

Wanderbus is pet-friendly, and we’d be more than happy to host your furry friends! However, national parks are very strict. You will have to provide a certificate, as well as all the necessary care items, such as a leash, bags, and other things if your pet is a service animal so they will be allowed entry (there might be a small park fee as well, so just be prepared). Just let us know in advance if you will be bringing your pet or service animal with you so we can make the correct arrangements.

Yes

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