Baños is easily reached by bus from Ambato (45 minutes), Quito (3.5 hours), and Riobamba (2 hours). Buses run frequently through the day and the journey from Quito is straightforward — the road passes through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, with good views of Cotopaxi and other peaks on a clear day.
The bus terminal in Baños is on the western edge of the centre, a short walk from the main plaza. There is no passenger rail service to Baños. Taxis from Ambato are reasonable for groups. The road from Ambato descends into the valley dramatically and is subject to occasional closure when Tungurahua is active; the alternative route via Pelileo is longer but safer during eruption alerts.