Tren Crucero
The great crossing of the Andes, from the highlands to the sea. Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ Durán (Guayaquil).
15
Stations
≈ 447 km
Route length
4 days / 3 nights
Duration
Service suspended
Service status
Tren Crucero · Chimbacalle ↔ Durán
The Tren Crucero is one of the tourist routes of the Trans-Andean Railway of Ecuador, on the Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ Durán (Guayaquil) stretch. The great crossing of the Andes, from the highlands to the sea. This route is part of the heritage of the Trans-Andean Railway and its service is currently suspended; the information is historical.
It covers roughly ≈ 447 km between Chimbacalle and Durán, with a duration of 4 days / 3 nights. What makes it special:
- Crosses the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” with views of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
- Descends the legendary Devil’s Nose between Alausí and Sibambe
- Luxury 4-day train with steam locomotives and nights in haciendas
- From the Andean highlands (3,609 m at Urbina) to tropical coastal Durán
The 15 stations
Tren Crucero
Times between stations
| From | To | Approx. run | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimbacalle | → | Machachi | 1 h |
| Machachi | → | Latacunga | 1 h 15 min |
| Latacunga | → | Ambato | 1 h 10 min |
| Ambato | → | Urbina | 1 h 05 min |
| Urbina | → | Riobamba | 55 min |
| Riobamba | → | Colta | 40 min |
| Colta | → | Guamote | 45 min |
| Guamote | → | Alausí | 1 h 20 min |
| Alausí | → | Sibambe | 45 min |
| Sibambe | → | Huigra | 55 min |
| Huigra | → | Bucay | 1 h 30 min |
| Bucay | → | Milagro | 1 h 10 min |
| Milagro | → | Yaguachi | 25 min |
| Yaguachi | → | Durán | 35 min |
Approximate running times. Chimbacalle ↔ Durán: 13 h 30 min of running time (the tourist trip included stops and excursions).
Schedule and fare
Did you know…?
- Crosses the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” with views of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
- Descends the legendary Devil's Nose between Alausí and Sibambe
- Luxury 4-day train with steam locomotives and nights in haciendas
- From the Andean highlands (3,609 m at Urbina) to tropical coastal Durán
Links and connections
The Tren Crucero runs along the Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ Durán (Guayaquil) stretch, in the heart of the Trans-Andean Railway. Its stations are linked by road to Ecuador’s main cities, which makes it easy to reach the train’s starting point.
Interchange stations. This route shares stations with other railway routes: Chimbacalle connects to Train of the Volcanoes; Machachi connects to Train of the Volcanoes; Urbina connects to Ice Train (Tren del Hielo); Riobamba connects to Ice Train (Tren del Hielo), Trail of the Ancestors; Colta connects to Trail of the Ancestors; Alausí connects to Devil’s Nose (Nariz del Diablo); Sibambe connects to Devil’s Nose (Nariz del Diablo); Bucay connects to Train of Sweetness (Tren de la Dulzura); Milagro connects to Train of Sweetness (Tren de la Dulzura); Yaguachi connects to Train of Sweetness (Tren de la Dulzura); Durán connects to Train of Sweetness (Tren de la Dulzura).
Plan your journey — use our route planner to see which route connects two stations, the travel time and the distance.
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