Quito To Banos: FULL Guide + Route 2023

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Looking for the best ways to get from Quito to Banos? You’re in the right place! Banos is one of the main tourist and adventure hubs in Ecuador, and starting in Quito, the capital city, is a common route for most backpackers.

This post outlines everything you need to know about getting from Quito to Banos, from safety concerns, journey times, prices, drop-off points and more.

So, let’s start and discuss all the possible ways to travel from Quito to Banos!

Still got a question about the journey from Quito to Banos? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

• Amazon Tours Ecuador: BEST Cuyabeno Trip From Quito
• Quito To Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve (Ecuador Amazon Rainforest)
• Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
• Frog Concert Mindo: Just WHAT Is It? FULL Guide
• Quito To Mindo: BEST And Easiest Routes

Quito To Banos: A Summary

The journey between Quito and Banos is roughly 120 miles (190 km). It will take around 3-4 hours to drive directly between the two locations, depending on traffic, road conditions and mode of transport. 

The most popular way to travel between Quito and Banos is by private transfer or tourist shuttle.

In summary, there are four ways to get from Quito to Banos. These options are:

• Public bus
• Tourist shuttle
• Private transfer
• Day trip (organised tour) to Banos from Quito

Personally, I think the best way to get to Quito to Banos is by tourist shuttle (coach). Tickets can easily be booked online here, making your journey reliable, easy and straightforward.

But, there are four ways to travel between the two places, so I’ll explain them all and let you decide! Let’s get down to the ins and outs of travelling between Quito and Banos!

Related post: Travelling to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador? Check out my full Cuyabeno guide!

1. Quito to Banos by public bus

You can travel from Quito to Banos via public bus. This is the cheapest option for those on a budget and the luxury of time.

Public buses in Ecuador are frequently used, but you’ll need to be careful of your belongings and expect a few bumps on the road (literally and metaphorically speaking).

So, how do you get the bus from Quito to Banos? Here are my step-by-step instructions:

• Travel to the Quitumbe bus station. To get here, either take a taxi (around 10 USD) or jump on the tram.

• There are buses that depart Quitumbe for Banos every day from 5 am – 6 pm. They run frequently throughout the day.

• Buy a ticket for your bus (roughly 4-6 USD). Make sure you know a little Spanish to do this.

• The bus then takes around 4 hours to reach Banos from Quito, depending on traffic and the road conditions at the time.

The bus itself is fine – it’s not anything special, but it’s doable. Just keep an eye on your belongings at all times – it’s known that thieves operate on buses by slashing bags kept under the seats. Keep everything on your lap!

2. Quito to Banos by tourist shuttle

Another way to get from Quito to Banos is by tourist shuttle. Tourist shuttles from Quito to Banos are large coaches which are safe, modern and clean. They shouldn’t cost more than $5-10 USD per person.

To look at prices and check the availability of tourist buses from Quito to Banos, I recommend using Bookaway. If you pre-book online, you don’t have to extensively test your Spanish skills at the bus station, and you can walk directly onto your transfer!

➡ You can book your tourist bus ticket from Quito to Banos here!

3. Quito to Banos by private transfer

Another way to get from Quito to Banos is to travel via private transfer. This is perfect if there is more than one of you, you want your own space or you are short on time!

A private transfer from Quito to Banos costs roughly £30-35 ($35-40 USD).

Similar to a taxi, private transfers will pick you up from your hotel or hostel in Quito and take you directly to your accommodation in Banos. But of course, it’s a little more expensive!

Private transfers from Quito to Banos can take from 2-3 hours (depending on traffic, road conditions and other factors). Most hostels and hotels can organise this, or you can book a private transfer online here.

➡ Book a private transfer now!

4. Quito to Banos by an organised tour

If you’re the kind of person who prefers everything organised for them, you can reach Banos from Quito via an organised tour. This is also the perfect option if you are short on time.

There are tours from Quito to Banos that include full days of hiking, white water rafting and other adventure activities. All day tours include transfers, lunch, snacks and a guide to ensure you have the best day possible.

Some of the tours from Quito to Banos include:

• Banos Full-Day Hiking Tour
• Banos and White Water Rafting Tour
• Banos and the Amazon Tour
• Cotopaxi AND Banos Day Tour

➡ Or you can view all Bano day tours from Quito here!

Where to stay in Quito

Quito is a big city. Whilst we were there, we stayed in two different areas; the main city centre and La Floresta.

If you’re staying short term, I recommend the city centre. This is the main cultural ‘hub’ (although there is nothing going on at night) and has a lively atmosphere during the day.

For digital nomads and those staying over 2 nights in Quito, I recommend La Floresta. This is a buzzing part of Quito full of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Sadly, we were told – by locals themselves – to not walk around Quito at night. I have no idea what it is but for a capital city, Quito at night is exceptionally quiet. Even in the busy parts!

If you’re visiting Quito, I highly recommend cooking your own meals in the evenings or staying at a hostel that runs family dinners at night. When writing this, we did not feel safe walking around Quito at night (but safety is subjective).

Some of the best accommodations in Quito include:

• Viajero Hostel (city centre): a beautiful hostel that includes free breakfast!
• Community Hostel (city centre): the perfect social hostel for the Amazon Rainforest tour!
• Secret Garden: (city centre): around a 15-minute walk to the main square
• Hotel Stubel Suites & Cafe (La Floresta): a hotel with offers stunning views of the Guápulo Valley.
• NH Collection Quito Royal (La Floresta): a more luxurious stay with a health club, free WiFi and free breakfast.

Where to stay in Banos

Banos is a small, picturesque town surrounded by volcanoes and the Andes mountains. It’s a great place to stay for a few nights as a backpacker looking for adventure. Some of the best accommodations include:

• Mama Tungu Hostel: the perfect hostel in Banos for solo travellers, digital nomads and couples. Well-located, great facilities and comfy rooms!
• Erupcion Art Hotel & Hostel: the best social hostel with a rooftop in Banos!
• Papacho’s Hostel: another great hostel in Banos for solo travellers and couples wanting to be in the middle of all of the action.
• La Posada del Arte: A great hotel in Banos for couples or those who don’t want to stay in a hostel.
• Aldea Real Eco-Friendly: An amazing eco-friendly hostel in Banos.

Quito to Banos: FAQs

1) How long should I stay in Banos?

If you are visiting Banos for the first time, I recommend staying for at least 3-4 nights. This gives you enough time to relax, enjoy the area, do some adrenaline-pumping activities such as white water rafting and waterfall hiking and to spot some of the local wildlife.

2) How much is a taxi from Quito to Banos?

If you are taking a taxi or private transfer from Quito to Banos, it will cost between $35-45 USD. You can book a private transfer here.

Related post: Quito to Mindo | Quito to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

3) Is Banos worth going to?

Yes! Banos is absolutely worth visiting if you are a fan of nature, hiking, waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife. It’s known as the ‘adventure’ capital of Ecuador, and with good reason! It’s a beautiful small town with incredible scenery and is undoubtedly worth visiting when in Ecuador.

What to pack for Ecuador

Packing for Ecuador is similar to most Central/South American countries, although you need to pack some warmer clothes for locations like Quito.

Luckily for you, I’ve written an entire, lengthy blog post about what to pack for Ecuador; from daily clothes to gadgets and tech, the right kind of backpack and things you may have forgotten. You can check out my full Ecuador packing list here!

Don’t forget travel insurance for South America!

If you’re visiting South America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in South America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for South America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Quito to Banos: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about travelling from Quito to Banos. When you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Ecuador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

• Quito to Mindo: Full Travel Route
• Frog Concert Mindo: WHAT Is It?!
• What To Pack For Ecuador: All-Year Round Guide