Car Hire at Cuenca Mariscal La Mar Airport (CUE)

Your adventure in the Andes begins here. Collect your hire car with ease and explore Ecuador's historic gem.

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Terminal Guide

Navigating to Your Hire Car

Cuenca Airport (CUE) is a compact, single-terminal airport, making it straightforward to find the car hire desks. Most rental companies have their counters conveniently located within the main arrivals hall.

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Main Terminal

After collecting your luggage, proceed into the arrivals hall. The car hire desks for major providers like Localiza, Avis, and Budget are clearly signposted. Once you have completed your paperwork, a representative will escort you to the nearby car park where your vehicle will be waiting.

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Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-up

Downtown Pick-up

Convenience Straight off the Plane

Picking up your car at Cuenca Airport offers maximum convenience after a long flight from the UK. You can start your journey immediately without the hassle of arranging taxis or public transport. The selection of vehicles is often wider, and the staff are accustomed to assisting international travellers with documents like a UK driving licence and International Driving Permit (IDP).

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Rent Your Dream Car at CUE - Cuenca Airport

Pick up your rental car at Cuenca Airport and explore Ecuador freely. Read genuine reviews from real travelers to choose the perfect vehicle.

Rental company	Rating	Avg. Daily Rate	Pickup Method/Distance	Security deposit	Key Advantages
Best Overall	4.3 10,000+ reviews	$111	In terminal, Walk to counter	$10,000 - $30,000	●Friendly and helpful staff ●Transparent pricing, no hidden fees ●Free upgrades to premium vehicles
	2.0 11 reviews	$110	In terminal	-	●Standard pick-up and drop-off process ●Reasonable pricing structure
	1.3 4700+ reviews	$219	In terminal, Walk to counter	$1,000 - $2,000	●Helpful professional staff ●Quick efficient service ●Clean well-maintained cars
	1.2 5700+ reviews	$826	In terminal, Walk to counter	$1,000 - $2,000	●Excellent customer service ●Clean and reliable vehicles ●Professional and helpful staff
	1.0 11 reviews	$115	In terminal	$2,177 - $3,703	●Convenient airport location ●Simple pickup and return process ●Wide vehicle selection available

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental

Last updated: May. 27 2026

Essential Rental Hub

Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.

ワルシャワ・モドリン空港（WMI）でレンタカーを借りる際、隠れた費用を避けて安心して運転するにはどうすればいいですか？

ワルシャワ・モドリン空港（WMI）でレンタカーを借りる際は、隠れた費用を避けるため、フルカバー保険付きプランを事前に予約するのが最善策です。燃料ポリシーは「フル・トゥ・フル」を選び、契約時に追加料金の有無をしっかり確認しましょう。これにより、安心してポーランドのドライブを楽しめます。

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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Ecuador's car rental market grew 10% annually with SUVs comprising 35% of the fleet; Mareauto leads with 38% revenue share. Tourism drives 59.7% of visits to Ecuador, with Cuenca as a top colonial heritage destination. Airport and city-center locations handle most pickups."

Booking Patterns

"SUV rentals surged 12% YoY with 35% fleet share; 41% of leisure renters book within 2 weeks. Average rental duration is 4.8 days; 72% of rentals are leisure-driven. Online bookings comprise 82% of all reservations."

Customer Pain Points

"53% of customers cite unexpected fees as the top complaint; confusion over CDW vs LDW coverage and deductible amounts causes significant financial exposure for renters in Ecuador."

Data Sources

QEEQ internal booking databse
Global Fleet - Ecuador's car rental market grows
GoWithGuide - Tourism In Ecuador Statistics 2025
WorldMetrics - Car Rental Statistics 2026
6Wresearch - Ecuador Car Rental Market 2025-2031
WorldMetrics - Car Rental Statistics 2026
Insurance Cuenca - Ecuador Rental Car Insurance Guide

Cuenca, Ecuador: Your Ultimate Driving and Travel Companion

Essential travel and driving information for exploring Cuenca, Ecuador's cultural heartland – from road rules to refuelling costs

LANGUAGES

Spanish

CURRENCY

USD

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+593

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$35 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

100 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.03% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$0.80/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.39/L - $0.80/L

Cuenca Car Rental Guide

Essential FAQs for driving in Ecuador's historic highland city

Can I drive in Ecuador with my home country's licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?

Your home country's full valid driving licence is accepted in Ecuador for up to 90 days. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended and often required by rental companies as a translation document. The IDP costs around £15 in the UK and is valid for one year. Without it, you may face difficulties if stopped by police or making insurance claims.

What fuel does my rental car need, and will I find petrol stations easily?

Petrol (gasoline) is widely available throughout Ecuador, with 95 and 98 octane options at most stations. Diesel vehicles are also common. Fuel prices are subsidised and relatively cheap (approximately $1.50–$2 per litre). Most rental cars run on petrol. Fill-up policies vary—check whether your contract is 'full-to-full' or 'full-to-empty', as the latter is significantly more expensive.

How are the roads around Cuenca, particularly for trips to the Andes or coast?

Cuenca sits at 2,500 metres altitude, so mountain driving is the norm. Roads to destinations like Cajas National Park or the coast (Machala, Guayaquil) are generally in fair to good condition, but expect winding mountain passes with sharp curves and occasional potholes. The Pan-American Highway passing through Cuenca is well-maintained. Drive cautiously on secondary roads, especially in rainy season (October–May) when landslides can occur.

What insurance do I legally need, and should I buy extra coverage?

Ecuador requires basic third-party liability insurance by law, but this is often minimal. Most rental companies include this, but verify it before signing. Comprehensive insurance with theft protection and collision damage waiver (CDW) is strongly recommended—daily add-ons typically cost £10–£25. Check your credit card's car rental cover, but note that many policies don't cover Ecuador. Verify with your provider before relying on it.

Is it safe to drive in Ecuador, and what driving habits should I adopt?

Driving in Ecuador is generally safe but requires alertness. Ecuador uses right-hand drive (vehicles drive on the right). Speed cameras are active on major highways, with fines of $100–$300 for violations. Police checkpoints are common outside cities—carry your passport, driving licence, and rental agreement. Avoid driving at night on rural roads due to limited lighting and unexpected obstacles including pedestrians and animals.

What's the minimum age to rent a car, and will I face young driver surcharges?

The minimum age to rent in Ecuador is typically 21 years, with some companies requiring 23–25 for larger vehicles. Drivers under 25 often pay a young driver surcharge of approximately £10–£20 per day. Some companies refuse to rent to under-21s entirely. Always check age requirements when booking, as policies vary significantly between agencies.

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