Banos To Guayaquil (Ecuador) Complete Guide & Routes 2023

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

Then there’s Guayaquil, known for being the biggest city in Ecuador, and the gateway to one of the biggest bucket-list destinations on earth; the Galapagos.

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

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

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

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

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• Quito To Cotopaxi: FULL Guide, Routes + Tips
• Amazon Tours Ecuador: BEST Cuyabeno Trip From Quito
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Banos To Guayaquil: A Summary

The journey between Banos and Guayaquil is roughly 186 miles (300 km). It will take around 6 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 Guayaquil is by tourist shuttle (coach).

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

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

Personally, I think the best way to get from Banos to Guayaquil is by tourist shuttle (coach). Tickets can easily be booked online here, and as there’s no direct bus between Banos and Guayaquil, 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 Guayaquil!

1) Banos To Guayaquil by public bus

If you’re on a shoestring budget or would like to travel like a local, you can take the public bus from Banos to Guayaquil. I’ve listed the step-by-step ways to reach Guayaquil by public bus below.

• Travel to the main Banos bus terminal. Unless you’ve booked the coach (see more below), you will need to board a bus to Ambato, and then change for Guayaquil.
• The first bus from Banos to Ambato is around a 1-hour journey. It should not cost more than $2-3 USD per ticket.
• From Ambato, you will need to find the bus going to Guayaquil. You may need to cross the road to find the correct bus (going in the right way), but just double-check with the driver!
• Buses from Ambato to Guayaquil run every hour, four-five times a day (depending on the bus company).
• The journey from Ambato to Guayaquil should take between 5-6 hours, depending on the road conditions, time of day and traffic.

The best bus lines to do this journey with are Cooperativa de Transporte Banos or Cooperativa de Transportes Santa. You’re looking at around $6-10 USD per person in total to take the public bus from Banos to Guayaquil.

2) Banos To Guayaquil by tourist shuttle

The tourist shuttle leaves Banos for Guayaquil four times a day. It leaves from Banos bus station (Terminal Terrestre Banos). It leaves at 12.20 pm, 14.20, 19.30 and 23.00. The bus line is Transporte Banos.

On average, the coach from Banos to Guayaquil 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 £10 ($13) per person.

➡ You can check prices, and details and book tickets for the Banos to Guayaquil coach here!

3) Banos To Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil.

This is the quickest way to reach Guayaquil, and you reach it in comfort in your own space. Additionally, if there are 2 or 3 of you, the price difference isn’t too much compared to a tourist shuttle!

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 Guayaquil. 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 Guayaquil (or vice versa) will cost around £90 ($100 USD). Just be sure to confirm a price with the driver before taking the trip.

➡ Book a private transfer from Banos to Guayaquil now!

4) Banos To Guayaquil by organised tour

If you’d prefer everything organised for you, or you’re short on time, you can book an organised tour from Banos to Guayaquil (or vice versa).

There is a whole range of tours to choose from (hiking tours, horseriding, sightseeing and so on), and a range of durations (three, four, five nights and more). It’s the perfect way to explore the areas without having to plan it all yourself.

All tours, regardless of where they start and finish, include transfers. This means you don’t have to faff around with public buses and shuttles!

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.

➡ Check out the best Banos and Guayaquil tours now!

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 Guayaquil

If you’re planning on staying in the gateway to the Galapagos for a few nights, I recommend the following accommodations.

• Manso Boutique Guesthouse: conveniently located near the Malecón 2000 and the Guayas River.
• Casa Michael: a great hostel for backpackers.
• Wyndham Guayaquil: for a luxury stay in Guayaquil.
• Unipark Hotel: for a budget-friendly hotel stay in Guayaquil.

Banos to Guayaquil: FAQs

1) How far is Baños to Guayaquil?

The journey between Banos and Guayaquil is roughly 186 miles (300 km). It will take around 6 hours to drive directly between the two locations in Ecuador, depending on traffic, road conditions and mode of transport. 

2) Why is Guayaquil famous?

Guayaquil is most famous for being the gateway to the Galapagos and for being the biggest city in Ecuador. It’s also home to Ecuador’s second-largest international airport, so it’s a great way in and out of the country.

3) How long is the bus from Baños to Quito?

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. 

For more information about the Quito to Banos journey, check out my full guide.

4) Is Baños Ecuador worth it?

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.

5) 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 Guayaquil: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about travelling from Banos to Guayaquil 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

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• Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks: FULL Route + Guide
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• Quito to Mindo: Full Travel Route
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