An expat’s guide to the tranvía: A smooth ride for schoolkids, retirees and the occasional stray dog

The Tranvía is Cuenca’s sleek, quiet, gliding answer to traffic and taxis — and also one of the few things in town that regularly runs on time. It stretches like a silver thread from the Industrial Park in the northwest to the southern suburb of Río Tarqui, passing through El Centro, the bus terminal, and even the airport. If you’re a gringo, you should absolutely learn to use it — especially before you try driving downtown and regret every life decision.​

Step One: Get a Rider’s Card
While there are ticket machines at each station (more on those in a moment), locals swipe in with a plastic card called the Movilízate card. You can get one at official Tranvía offices or some Servipagos locations. Bring your passport or cédula, and a bit of patience.​

If you’re over 65 and a legal resident, you’re entitled to a Tarjeta de la Tercera Edad — a senior rider’s card that charges half fare. It has your photo on it. Bring your passport or cédula, and proof of age and residency. The discount isn’t massive (just 18 cents off), but it’s a nice touch — and it earns you a subtle nod of respect from locals.​

Step Two: Learn to Use the Machines
If you don’t have a card, you can still pay using the touchscreen ticket machines located at each station before you board. Press “Comprar Boleto,” select your fare, insert your coins, and the machine will spit out a thin receipt with a barcode. Tap it at the turnstile and you’re in.​

These machines do give change and can send a receipt to your email. They accept coins only — specifically, $1 coins and 25-cent pieces. No bills. No cards. No mercy. So treat your change like royalty and always carry a backup dollar coin in your pocket just in case.​

Step Three: Enjoy the Ride
The Tranvía is fully accessible. It’s a godsend for parents with strollers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and the occasional dog who appears to be commuting independently. The floors are level, the doors are wide, and the vibe is peaceful. It’s not unusual to see schoolkids on one side and retirees on the other, all minding their own business while the city glides past the windows.​

Some of the seats in the center carriage are reserved for older people and women with babies. If there is a conductor on board, they may ask a young person or teenager to give up their seat to an elderly person like you, which is a nice touch.​

Destinations Worth Knowing:

• Terminal Terrestre (Bus Terminal) – Great for longer trips.
• El Centro (Historic Downtown) – Skip the taxis and roll right in.
• Aeropuerto Mariscal La Mar – Yes, the Tranvía literally stops next to the airport. Try that in another city for 35 cents.​ (Read more about the tram.)

The ride is smooth, the views are solid, and the Tranvía car has Wi-Fi that may or may not work — but it’s worth checking, especially if you plan to buy your fare digitally. Yes, you can now buy Tranvía tickets using many Ecuadorian banking apps, but — and this is important — you can only do it while you’re ready to ride or already on board. You cannot stockpile tickets in advance, and you’ll need a good mobile data signal to complete the transaction. No signal, no ticket.​

And whatever you do, don’t ride without a ticket. The fine is $135, and the inspectors are real, polite, and slightly terrifying. They carry card readers and they do random checks. Just beep, buy, or swipe — and ride with a clean conscience.