Chimbacalle
Quito’s main station and northern terminus of the Tren Crucero
2 routes
Routes that ran through
Main
Main terminal / Main station (northern terminus of the Tren Crucero)
2.817 m
Altitude
Pichincha
Province
Chimbacalle station
The Chimbacalle station, also known as the Eloy Alfaro Station, is the main station of the Trans-Andean Railway and the historic heart of Tren Ecuador. It sits in the Chimbacalle neighbourhood, in southern Quito (Pichincha), at 2,817 m above sea level. It was inaugurated on 25 June 1908 by President Eloy Alfaro, when the railway finally linked the coast with the highlands. It is the terminus of the Tren Crucero and the starting point of the Train of the Volcanoes.
Declared the “First Treasure” heritage site of Quito in 2011, it preserves its platform, ticket office and a railway museum that recalls the epic of the most difficult railway in the world. From here you can easily reach the Historic Centre of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the El Panecillo lookout and the bohemian street of La Ronda.
Where is Chimbacalle station?
Chimbacalle station is located in Quito, Pichincha. Coordinates: 0.2410° S, 78.5130° W.
What to see and do nearby
Points of interest a short distance from Chimbacalle.
Other stations on the Tren Crucero
Tren Crucero
Other stations on the Train of the Volcanoes
Station facilities
The stations of the Trans-Andean Railway preserve their historic architecture, with a ticket office, waiting room and platform. Here is what you will find at this station.
Connections from Chimbacalle
Tren Crucero — Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ Durán (Guayaquil) · service suspended. Days: Scheduled departures (high season), in both directions.
Train of the Volcanoes — Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ El Boliche · service suspended. Days: Historically weekends and public holidays.
Interchange station. Several railway routes met here (Tren Crucero, Train of the Volcanoes), making it an important point on the network.
Getting there. Chimbacalle is linked by road to nearby towns; outside the station you will find taxis and public transport.
Plan your journey — use our route planner to see which route connects Chimbacalle with other stations.
Bookmark this Trans-Andean Railway guide
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