Banos To Cuenca (Ecuador) Full Guide & Routes In 2023

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Looking for the best ways to get from Banos to Cuenca? You’re in the right place! Banos is one of the most exciting and adventurous locations in Ecuador and is a must-do for any adrenaline junkies.

Then there’s Cuenca, a pretty, historical and beautiful city, which makes for a perfect stop before heading to Guayaquil, the gateway to the Galapagos.

This post outlines everything you need to know about getting from Banos to Cuenca, 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 Cotopaxi!

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

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

• 2 Weeks In Ecuador: Routes, Itineraries & Guides!
• Quito To Cotopaxi: FULL Guide, Routes + Tips
• Amazon Tours Ecuador: BEST Cuyabeno Trip From Quito
• Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide

Banos To Cuenca: A Summary

The journey between Banos and Cuenca is roughly 211 miles (340 km). It will take around 6-7 hours to drive directly between the two locations in Ecuador, depending on traffic, road conditions and mode of transport. 

The most popular way to travel between Banos and Cuenca is by tourist shuttle (coach).

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

• Public bus
• Tourist shuttle (coach)
• Private transfer
• Organised overnight tour

Personally, I think the best way to get from Banos to Cuenca is by tourist shuttle (coach). Tickets can easily be booked online here, and as there’s no direct bus between Banos and Cuenco, this just makes your life so much easier!

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 Banos and Cuenca!

1) Banos To Cuenca by public bus

It’s important to know that there is currently no direct public bus from Banos to Cuenca. You will need to make a couple of changes.

For this reason, if you’re on a tight time scale when in Ecuador, I recommend getting the direct tourist shuttle/coach. But more on that in the next section!

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to get from Banos to Cuenca by public bus.

• Travel to the Banos bus station.
• Find a bus going to Ambato. They run every 15-20 minutes, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. Most buses in Ecuador state where they are going at the front of the bus.
• Take the journey from Banos to Ambato. This shouldn’t take more than an hour, and costs between $2-3 USD. Don’t forget to tell the driver where you are going.
• From Ambato, you will need to find the bus going to Cuenca. This journey is a lot longer (approx 6-7 hours), as it covers over 300km. These buses run every 2 hours.

🚎 Note: The bus lines running from Ambato to Cuenca are either the Cooperativa de Transporte Express Sucre or Cooperativa de Transporte Santa.

2) Banos To Cuenca by tourist shuttle

The tourist shuttle is a twice-a-day bus that leaves from Banos bus station (Terminal Terrestre Banos). It leaves at both 8.45 am and 11 pm at night.

On average, the coach from Banos to Cuenca takes around 6 hours. But as you know, it’s South America, so you can expect some bumps in the road (pardon the pun).

The coaches have both air conditioning and wifi and cost just £13 ($15) per person.

You can check prices, and details and book tickets for the Banos to Cuenca coach here.

3) Banos To Cuenca by private transfer

If you’re short on time or would just prefer to travel without the fuss of big coaches and buses, you can book a private transfer from Banos to Cuenca.

This is the quickest way to reach Cuenca, and you reach it in comfort in your own space.

The journey in a private transfer (or taxi) shouldn’t take longer than six hours. As you’re driving privately, you can stop for toilet and snack breaks whenever needed.

If you’re already in Banos, you can ask a yellow, licensed taxi how much they would charge to drive you to Cuenca. Or if you’re like me, and prefer everything to be organised, you can book a modern, clean and comfy private transfer here!

On average, a taxi from Banos to Cuenca (or vice versa) will cost around £135-160 ($170-210 USD). Just be sure to confirm a price with the driver before taking the trip.

4) Banos to Cuenca by organised tour

One of the most popular options when visiting Cuenca from Banos is to book via an organised tour. This is especially good if you only have a short time in Ecuador but still want to visit Cuenca and some other locations in the country.

There are a whole range of tours from either Cuenca to Banos, or Banos to Cuenca. Some even include a trip to the Amazon Rainforest or some adventure activities in Banos. You can view all trips from Cuena to Banos and Banos to Cuenca here.

All tours, regardless of where they start, include transfers, meaning you don’t need to worry about booking taxis or buses. Hooray!

Not all tours include the same things (ie food, watersports, hiking etc), so if there’s something you’re looking for in particular, be sure to check the ‘what’s included’ section.

Where to stay in Banos

Banos is an amazing place to spend a couple of days on your Ecuador trip. It’s known as the ‘adventure’ capital of the country, so get your hiking boots out, strap on a harness and expect to be ziplining through the jungle!

Some of the best accommodations in Banos 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.

Where to stay in Cuenca

Cuenca is known as the ‘most beautiful‘ city in Ecuador, and is full of local culture, good food and iconic architecture. It’s the perfect place to spend a few nights on your trip and get to know the Ecuadorean way of life.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Cuenca, I recommend:

• El Cafecito Cuenca: for backpackers and budget travellers wanting a great stay in Cuenca.
• Pepe’s House Cuenca: an amazing hostel in the middle of the Historic Centre.
• Four Points: for couples or groups wanting a hotel in Cuenca.
• Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia: for a boutique 19th-century house hotel in Cuenca.

Banos to Cuenca: FAQs

1) Is Cuenca worth going to?

If you have the time to visit Cuenca whilst travelling Ecuador, it’s worth a 1-2 night visit. It’s a great stop-off before Guayaquil (especially if you’re travelling there for the Galapagos) and is known as the ‘prettiest’ city in the country.

2) Is it safe to walk around Cuenca?

Cuenca is an extremely walkable city, and it is safe to walk around freely during the day, especially in the tourist areas such as the Historic Centre. But as with any other city in the country, I recommend taking extra safety precautions at night. If you can, avoid walking around Cuenca after dark.

3) Do I need an eSim to travel around Ecuador?

Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Ecuador.

We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards. ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs 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!

Banos to Cuenca: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about travelling from Banos to Cuenca in Ecuador (and vice versa). 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:

• Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
• Quito to Mindo: Full Travel Route
• Frog Concert Mindo: WHAT Is It?!
• Amazon Tours Ecuador: BEST Cuyabeno Tour
• What To Wear In The Amazon Rainforest (That Isn’t Ugly)