How Much Is Transport from Lagos to Ibadan in 2026?
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Updated 28 September 2026 · Wigmore Trading, Lagos
Quick answer
In 2026 the cheapest way from Lagos to Ibadan is the NRC train at ₦3,600 (regular class, one way). Business class costs ₦6,500 and first class ₦13,000. A seat in a bus from a Lagos motor park cost about ₦6,200 in March 2026, after fuel prices pushed fares up from ₦5,200. Driving your own car costs roughly ₦18,000 in petrol one way at September 2026 pump prices. The road trip is about 133 km and takes 1½–3 hours depending on traffic.
In this guide
- Lagos to Ibadan: every option compared
- By train: fares, times and stations
- By bus: motor parks and Pacesetter
- By car or charter: what it really costs
- Can you fly from Lagos to Ibadan?
- What makes the fare go up or down
- Sending goods, not people
- Frequently asked questions
Lagos to Ibadan: every option compared
| Option | Cost per person (one way) | Door-to-door time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train, regular | ₦3,600 (child ₦3,000) | ~2½ hrs on board + transfers | Ebute Metta → Moniya; book online with NIN |
| Train, business / first | ₦6,500 / ₦13,000 | Same | More room, quieter |
| Motor park bus (e.g. Ojota) | ~₦6,200 (March 2026) | 1½–3 hrs | Leaves when full; fares move with petrol |
| Oyo Pacesetter (PTS) bus | ₦5,000 (fare set Feb 2025) | Road time | Ikeja ⇄ Eleyele, 7am/10am/1pm/4pm, AC and Wi-Fi |
| Own car | ~₦18,000 petrol for the whole car | ~1½ hrs in light traffic | Cheapest per head for 3–4 people |
| Flight | n/a | n/a | No practical scheduled service |
Sources: NRC’s official fares page (checked September 2026); TheCable (March 2026) for park fares; Tribune (January 2025) for the Pacesetter fare; Rome2rio for distance; Vanguard (September 2026) for petrol. The car estimate assumes 10 km per litre at ₦1,360 per litre.
By train: fares, times and stations
The Nigerian Railway Corporation’s Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge train is the best value on this route. It runs from Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, stops at Abeokuta, and ends at Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya in north Ibadan.
- Fares: ₦3,600 regular (₦3,000 for a minor), ₦6,500 business and ₦13,000 first class.
- Departures from Lagos: 8:00am and 4:00pm from Sunday to Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays there are three: 7:15am, 1:40pm and 4:00pm.
- Time on board: about 2 hours 20–35 minutes.
- Booking: online through NRC’s e-ticketing portal or app. You need a NIN, and you pay by card or transfer.
The full timetable, part-route fares (Lagos–Abeokuta, Abeokuta–Ibadan) and a step-by-step booking guide are in our dedicated article on the Lagos to Ibadan train fare and schedule.
The real cost of the train is the last mile. Ebute Metta and Moniya are not where most journeys start or end. If you are coming from Lekki, or going to Ring Road or Challenge in Ibadan, add the taxi or ride-hail fare at both ends before deciding the train is cheaper.
By bus: motor parks and Pacesetter
Motor park buses
Buses and cars to Ibadan leave all day from Lagos parks such as Ojota and Jibowu, and from points along the expressway. They leave when full and drop you at Iwo Road or other Ibadan stops. Fares follow the petrol price closely. A TheCable survey in March 2026 found the Lagos–Ibadan fare had gone up from ₦5,200 to ₦6,200 as pump prices rose. The same survey found RCCG Camp to Ibadan at ₦2,500. Petrol prices eased slightly in late September 2026, so fares may have moved again. Ask two or three loaders before you pay.
Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service
The Oyo State Government launched an air-conditioned Lagos–Ibadan bus service in December 2024 at ₦3,200. The buses have free Wi-Fi and charging ports. From 1 February 2025 the fare went up to ₦5,000. Buses leave the Ikeja bus terminal in Lagos and the PTS terminal at Eleyele, Ibadan, at 7am, 10am, 1pm and 4pm daily. PTS’s website still shows interstate online booking as “coming soon”, so call ahead (07067694381, listed on oyopts.com.ng) to confirm the fare and times.
Big interstate brands
Operators such as GIGM, GUO and ABC Transport focus on longer routes. Some sell Ibadan seats, but for a 2-hour trip most people use the parks or Pacesetter. If you do book a branded coach, compare its fare with the park price. You are paying extra for a fixed departure time and a terminal.
By car or charter: what it really costs
The road distance is about 133 km (Rome2rio). Petrol in Lagos sold for roughly ₦1,350–₦1,360 a litre in late September 2026: MRS cut its Lagos price to ₦1,350, and independent stations were around ₦1,360.
Worked example: a car doing about 10 km per litre uses about 13–14 litres for the trip. At ₦1,360 a litre that is about ₦18,000 one way, or ₦36,000 return. With four people in the car, that is about ₦4,500 each. That beats the park fare, but not the regular-class train. Heavy traffic at Berger or Kara can push fuel use well above this estimate.
Chartering a car or bus with a driver costs much more than fuel alone. You also pay for the driver’s day, the return trip and the operator’s margin. We could not find a reliable published 2026 rate for a Lagos–Ibadan charter, so get at least two quotes and agree whether fuel is included.
Can you fly from Lagos to Ibadan?
Not in any practical way. Ibadan Airport’s scheduled flights are mainly to Abuja, with Air Peace and Overland Airways (FlightsFrom data, August 2026). FlightsFrom also listed a short Overland Airways Ibadan–Lagos service, due to end on 24 September 2026. By the time you have checked in at Lagos airport, you could be in Ibadan by road. Older articles that quote a “₦20,000–₦35,000” Lagos–Ibadan flight are out of date.
What makes the fare go up or down
- Petrol and diesel prices: this is the biggest driver. Road fares went up by about ₦1,000 on this route in March 2026, when pump prices jumped. NRC’s own fare rise in 2022 was also blamed on diesel costs.
- Festive seasons: Christmas, Easter and Sallah bring higher road fares and sold-out trains. NRC usually adds extra trips at these times.
- Time of day: early-morning and Friday-evening loads fill fastest, and some parks charge more when demand spikes.
- Vehicle type: a Sienna or saloon car costs more per seat than a 14- or 18-seater bus.
- Where you board: boarding at Berger or the RCCG camp is cheaper than starting in Lagos.
Safety tips
- Use registered parks and branded operators, and avoid “one chance” cars picking up on the roadside.
- Keep your phone charged and share your trip with someone.
- For the train, buy only from the portal linked on NRC’s official website, never from social-media “agents”.
Need goods moved from Lagos to Ibadan?
Wigmore Trading runs its own fleet of vans, bikes and trucks from Lagos and handles road haulage, warehousing and distribution for traders, retailers and brands. Get a quote for a one-off load or a regular supply run.
Sending goods, not people
Many people searching “Lagos to Ibadan” are traders restocking a shop, not passengers. Passenger options are the wrong tool for this. NRC does not allow commercial goods as luggage, and parking cartons on a park bus means extra charges and a real risk of damage or loss. Better options:
- Buy wholesale and have it delivered: retailers can order branded food, drinks and household goods from Wigmore Wholesale. Resellers can apply to become a Wigmore stockist.
- Hold stock in Lagos and release it as needed: our pallet storage (Store & Sell) service suits sellers who restock Ibadan outlets weekly.
- Book a truck for the full load: for pallets or mixed stock, road haulage costs less per carton than sending parcels one at a time.
Frequently asked questions
How much is transport from Lagos to Ibadan?
₦3,600 by train in regular class, about ₦6,200 by motor park bus (March 2026), ₦5,000 on the Oyo Pacesetter bus, or around ₦18,000 in petrol for your own car. Road fares move with the petrol price.
How much is Lagos to Ibadan by road?
A seat in a shared bus from a Lagos park was about ₦6,200 in March 2026. Pacesetter charges ₦5,000 between Ikeja and Eleyele. Confirm on the day, as fares change with fuel prices and seasons.
How far is Ibadan from Lagos?
About 133 km by road, according to Rome2rio. The rail line is about 157 km.
How long does it take to get from Lagos to Ibadan?
About 1½ hours by car in light traffic, often 2–3 hours at busy times. The train takes about 2½ hours from station to station.
Is the train or the bus better from Lagos to Ibadan?
The train is cheaper and more predictable if you live near Ebute Metta and are going to north Ibadan. The bus is often faster door to door from Ikeja, Ojota or Berger, or if you are going to south or central Ibadan.
Where do Lagos–Ibadan buses leave from?
Mainly from Ojota and Jibowu, plus pick-up points along the expressway such as Berger. Pacesetter buses leave the Ikeja bus terminal.
Related guides
- Lagos to Ibadan train: fares, timetable and booking
- How much does it cost to travel from Lagos to Ekiti?
- Is there a train from Lagos to Abuja? All options compared
- Mini bus prices in Nigeria (for transport operators)
Sources: NRC fares page (checked September 2026; page undated); NRC schedules page (accessed September 2026); TheCable, NRC fare rise (December 2022); 234Drive (March 2026); TheCable, road fares survey (March 2026); Tribune, Pacesetter fare (January 2025); TheCable, Pacesetter launch (December 2024); Oyo PTS (accessed September 2026); Vanguard, petrol prices (September 2026); Rome2rio (accessed September 2026); FlightsFrom, Ibadan Airport (August 2026). Prices are indicative and change often. Confirm with the operator before paying.
Related guides
Lagos to Ibadan TrainTransport fare: Enugu to LagosSending goods by waybillCourier vs bus park vs truck, with prices
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