Loja has its own small airport at La Tola, about 30 kilometres from the city centre in the warmer valley below. TAME and other domestic carriers run flights to Quito and Guayaquil. The airport is at a lower altitude than the city, which means weather can ground flights at La Tola while Loja itself is clear — check conditions before relying on a connection.
By bus, Loja is connected to Quito (about 10 hours), Guayaquil (about 8 hours), Cuenca (about 4 hours), and the Peruvian border at Macará (about 3 hours). The long-distance terminal (Terminal Terrestre) is north of the city centre. Buses to Vilcabamba depart frequently and take about 45 minutes.