Lagos to Ibadan by Train: The Fare, Times and Rules

Lagos to Ibadan by train starts at ₦3,600.

The first-class seat is ₦13,000.

Same destination. Very different chair.

If you have been meaning to try the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service and keep postponing it because nobody has explained the simple things, here they are.

Step 1: Pick the class before you get there

The Nigerian Railway Corporation currently lists these adult fares from Lagos to Ibadan:

• Regular: ₦3,600
• Business: ₦6,500
• First: ₦13,000

For Lagos to Abeokuta, NRC lists ₦3,000 regular, ₦4,500 business and ₦9,000 first.

The official prices are on the NRC fare page.

If the only thing you care about is getting to Ibadan, regular is the cheapest seat in the current table.

Step 2: Check the day, because Friday is different

On Sundays through Thursdays, the current NRC schedule shows two Lagos departures: 8:00am and 4:00pm.

The morning train is scheduled to reach Ibadan at 10:30am. The 4:00pm service is scheduled to arrive at 6:33pm.

Fridays and Saturdays have an extra middle trip.

NRC currently lists Lagos departures at 7:15am, 1:40pm and 4:00pm on those two days.

That middle train is the one that disappears if you assume every day runs the same timetable.

Step 3: Do not leave your ID at home

NRC says you need valid identification to buy or use a ticket.

Its FAQ lists a driver’s licence, National Identification Card, international passport and voter’s card as accepted ID.

Tickets have assigned seat numbers. They are also non-refundable and valid for one journey.

This is not the trip to arrive at the station and start searching your gallery for a blurry picture of your ID.

Step 4: Watch the bag

NRC’s passenger rules say luggage above 25kg is not allowed.

The same rules prohibit items including combustible materials, arms, sharp objects and live or dead animals.

Bicycles and motorcycles are also on the no list.

If you are moving half your room to Ibadan, the train may not be the plan you think it is.

Step 5: Know which Lagos station you are going to

The Lagos–Ibadan service starts from Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta, according to NRC.

That matters because “railway station” in Lagos can send you into a long conversation with a driver who has a completely different station in mind.

NRC also lists a Lagos–Ibadan customer-care number on its booking page: +234(0)7074964453.

Save the number before travel day, especially if the timetable is the reason you are choosing rail.

What the trip costs you

For one adult going all the way from Lagos to Ibadan, the current ticket starts at ₦3,600.

The rest of your budget is the trip to Ebute Metta, whatever you eat, and what it takes to leave the station at the other end.

The train fare is the easy part.

Missing the train after fighting Lagos traffic to get there is the expensive joke.