There are two main bus stations. Buses for Banos and the Oriente leave from the Terminal Oriental on Avenida Espejo and Luz Elisa Borja, while all other long-distance buses depart from Terminal Terrestre, just over a kilometre northwest of the town centre on Leon Borja. A few blocks south of Terminal Terrestre there is an area from where buses depart for many local towns. Buses to Guano leave from the north of town on Rocafuerte and New York avenues.

There is a frequent bus service to Quito [US$4*, 4^1/2 hours]. To Guayaquil [US$4.50*, 5 hours]. To Machala [8^1/2 hours, US$6*]. To Cuenca, via Alausi [7 hours, US$6*]. To Guaranda [2^1/2 hours, US$2.50*]. To Santo Domingo de los Colorados [5^1/2 hours, US$4.50*].

The train station lies on Avenida 10 de Agosto and Carabobo. There is only one line. It goes north to Ambato and Quito and south to Alausi, Bucay and Guayaquil. There are very few trains. In fact there were no trains at all for 10 years after the El Nino storms of 1982 and 1983 while repairs were made to the tracks. This less-than-hectic timetable is nevertheless subject to change and you should call [03 - 961909] for the latest times. The latest information is that trains leave Riobamba at 6am every day of the week except Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Quito trains run twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays, departing at 9am. The most exciting and scenic section of this remarkable mountain railway is between Alausi and Bucay, known as the Devil's Nose because of its steep gradient. Some people take the train only between these two towns, and complete the rest of their journey by bus. Riding on the roof of the train and ducking overhanging branches is a travel experience not to be forgotten.

|learn more about the Devil's Nose train ride|›|

*Prices are approximate

Last updated 26th July 2006

|Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton|||

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