It also has the virtue of being a small country, and relatively cheap, which allows even budget travelers the option of an occasional internal flight. Both are regularly serviced by buses and taxis. The main domestic airlines are TAME and SAN, though there are other small airlines and charter planes available. Almost all flights begin or end in Quito or Guayaquil. It's also possible to make the trip by boat, but it works out no cheaper.
Most travelers use buses to get around.
Keep your passport with you when traveling by bus, as there are frequent, usually cursory, transit police checks on the outskirts of towns. Avoid taking night buses through Guayas Province, as the routes are favored by highwaymen. Rental cars are available in a few major towns, with prices comparable to those in the US or Europe. In order to keep the struggling train system alive, foreigners pay more to travel by train than locals do. Passengers are permitted to ride on top of some carriages - dress warmly for the exciting views.