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Voykit pocket guide · Ecuador
Alausi
Alausí
Do the Devil's Nose train (2 h round‑trip) and explore the town; stay 1 night if arriving late, otherwise a half‑day visit.
Alausi is a small Andean village best known for the Devil's Nose train. The train ride takes about 2 h round‑trip, so a half‑day is enough for the attraction; add a night if you want a relaxed start or finish.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Local name
- Alausí
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Oct–May
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Bring small notes: $50 and $100 bills are often refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget $25–$35 excl. bed · Mid $35–$55 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs work without adapters.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.; Galápagos naturalists and crew: US$10–20 per person per day in total, split per the boat's guidance.; Drivers and day guides: US$5–10 a day.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed (Community Hostel) | $12 |
| Double room (Community Hostel) | $30 |
| Breakfast per person | $3 |
| Devil's Nose train ticket | $33 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- UIO · Mariscal Sucre International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Express Sucre bus Quito → Alausi
- about $12, 5‑hour ride (check)
- Devil's Nose train round‑trip
- about $33, 2 h total (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is tiny; walking is the main way to get around.
See and do
Known for
- Devil's Nose train
- Statue of Saint Peter
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Devil's Nose train | Board at Alausi station; round‑trip runs 08:00–10:30 and 11:00–13:30 (no service Monday)Board at Alausi station; round‑trip runs 8:00 AM–10:30 AM and 11:00 AM–1:30 PM (no service Monday) | About 2 h total |
Sleep
- Community Hostel Alausi
- Dorm $12, double $30, king $50; breakfast $3 per person. 50 m from train station.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwes.ta |
| Where is the train station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?ˈdon.de esˈta la es.taˈθjon de ˈtɾen |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; women often one cheek kiss; avoid: Skipping the greeting before a question
- Time: Allow for 'hora ecuatoriana' socially; avoid: Assuming tours leave late — they do not
- Photos: Ask people first; avoid: Photographing children without permission
- Dress: Layers in the Andes; avoid: Beachwear in city centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Train does not run on Mondays; check schedule.
- Be at the station 30 min before departure.
- Roof rides are prohibited for safety.
- Altitude 1 400–2 340 m; bring jacket.
Alausi is generally safe for tourists; main risks are altitude sickness and occasional road landslides.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Alausi yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Devil's Nose train
- Statue of Saint Peter
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Alausi: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234567
- Wikivoyage: Alausi, revision 5038566 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5038566
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
AlausiAlausí
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance911
US consulate in Quito (check address); other embassies in Quito.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/alausi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.