Tena is connected by paved road to Quito (about 4 hours by bus) via Baeza and the Papallacta pass, and to Baños (about 2 hours) via Puyo. Buses run frequently from Quito's Quitumbe terminal throughout the day. There is no commercial airport serving Tena.
From the south, Puyo is the junction town — you can reach Tena from Riobamba or Cuenca by changing buses there.