Quito to Cali by train
Cali lies 464 km (288 mi) north-east of Quito, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 6 h 40 min at the speeds typical of Ecuador and Colombia rail, over roughly 566 km (352 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Quito | Cali | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Ecuador | Colombia |
| Population | 2.8 million | 2.4 million |
| Elevation | 2,854 m (9,364 ft) | 758 m (2,487 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Guayaquil) | UTC-5 (America/Bogota) |
| Stations on record | Estación de Tren de Chimbacalle, Quito | none listed |
What changes when you arrive in Cali
Crossing from Ecuador into Colombia: money changes from the Dollar to the Peso (COP); the dialling code becomes +57; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648825.
Where to book trains from Quito to Cali
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Cali
Our booking partner lists 1,312+ places to stay in Cali (statistics below are from the first 1,000). Of the 541 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (287), and 14 are five-star. Across 155 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 73,064 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Cali
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Cali from Quito?
464 km (288 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Quito; by road roughly 566 km (352 mi).
How long does it take to get from Quito to Cali by train?
About 6 h 40 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Quito and Cali?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Cali?
The Peso (COP).
Where can I stay in Cali?
Our booking partner lists 1,312+ places to stay in Cali, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.