Route plannerESEN

Riobamba

Sultana of the Andes and central hub of the railway

3 routes

Routes that ran through

Main

Main station (Tren Crucero, Ice Train, Trail of the Ancestors)

2.754 m

Altitude

Chimborazo

Province

Riobamba station

The Riobamba station, on Daniel León Borja avenue and Carabobo, is one of the most important on the Trans-Andean Railway. It serves the capital of Chimborazo, at 2,754 m above sea level, known as the “Sultana of the Andes” and “Cradle of Ecuadorian nationality”. It is a hub of the Tren Crucero, the Ice Train and the Trail of the Ancestors.

Riobamba preserves a beautiful historic centre with squares, churches and republican buildings. Nearby are the Chimborazo volcano, Maldonado park, the stone cathedral and the La Merced market, famous for its hornado. It is an ideal base for exploring the central highlands and the snow-capped peaks.

riobamba estacion tren ecuador
Riobamba stationRiobamba, Chimborazo · 2,754 m a.s.l.
Altitude2.754 m
RoutesCrucero · Ice Train · Ancestors
PositionMain station (Tren Crucero, Ice Train, Trail of the Ancestors)
Coordinates1.6710° S, 78.6471° W

Where is Riobamba station?

Riobamba station is located in Riobamba, Chimborazo. Coordinates: 1.6710° S, 78.6471° W.

What to see and do nearby

Points of interest a short distance from Riobamba.

Chimborazo VolcanoEcuador’s highest snow-capped peak, a short distance from the city.30 km
Riobamba CathedralBaroque stone façade rescued from the old Riobamba.Maldonado Park
La Merced MarketRiobamba hornado and traditional Chimborazo food.Centre
Maldonado ParkMain square with republican buildings and the city hall.Centre
City MuseumHistory and religious art in a colonial house.Centre
Colta LagoonMirror of water and the Balbanera church, on the way south.18 km

Other stations on the Tren Crucero

Other stations on the Ice Train (Tren del Hielo)

Ice Train (Tren del Hielo)

Other stations on the Trail of the Ancestors

Trail of the Ancestors

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.

Historic ticket office and ticket sales
Waiting room and restrooms
Platform for boarding the train
Space for luggage and bags
Train route and schedule information
Food and craft stalls nearby
Taxis and public transport at the exit
Heritage station — a great spot for photos

Connections from Riobamba

Tren Crucero — Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ Durán (Guayaquil) · service suspended. Days: Scheduled departures (high season), in both directions.

Ice Train (Tren del Hielo) — Riobamba ↔ Urbina (Chimborazo) · service suspended. Days: Historically weekends and public holidays.

Trail of the Ancestors — Riobamba ↔ Colta (Chimborazo) · service suspended. Days: Historically weekends and public holidays.

Interchange station. Several railway routes met here (Tren Crucero, Ice Train (Tren del Hielo), Trail of the Ancestors), making it an important point on the network.

Getting there. Riobamba 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 Riobamba with other stations.

Please note. Ecuador's national railway service has been suspended since 2020 (Ferrocarriles del Ecuador, FEEP, in liquidation). In 2025 two segments were restarted under municipal management: the Devil's Nose (Alausí–Sibambe) and Ibarra–Andrade Marín. The other routes, schedules and fares on this site are historical, for information and heritage purposes and subject to change. Always confirm availability before planning a trip.
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Frequently asked questions

It was a hub of the Tren Crucero, the Ice Train and the Trail of the Ancestors towards Colta.
The historic centre, the stone cathedral, the hornado market and, very close by, Chimborazo and the Colta Lagoon.
No. The tourist services have been suspended since 2020. The station is preserved as heritage right in the city centre.
Several routes ran through this station: Tren Crucero, Ice Train (Tren del Hielo) and Trail of the Ancestors. Check the days and prices on the schedule and fares pages.
The national service has been suspended since 2020. Only the Devil’s Nose (Alausí–Sibambe) is currently confirmed to be running. The information on this page is historical and heritage-related.

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