Lagos to Ibadan: The Ultimate Nigerian Train Journey Experience

Lagos, a city of more than 15 million people, is a metropolis known for its frenetic pace and chaotic energy. 

It’s popularly known as the land of opportunities, where commerce and chaos rule the streets. But just two hours away by train is the city of Ibadan, a world away from the noise and congestion of Lagos.

Ibadan, a city of just over three million people, offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Lagos. It has a rich history, a slower pace of life, and a more traditional Nigerian experience for those willing to journey. 

So, climb aboard the virtual train and join me on a typical train journey from Lagos’s bustling city to the calmer yet no less exciting city of Ibadan.

The Lagos to Ibadan Train Journey

About the Ibadan train service 

The railway line is a double-track standard-gauge rail, the biggest in the West African sub-region. It is the first part of a new 2,773-km Lagos-Kano standard-gauge line. The Lagos to Ibadan train station serves as a hub that connects different points, including Samuel Ladoke Station, Omi Adio, Wole Soyinka, Babatunde Raji Fashola Station, and Agege, before reaching Mobolaji Johnson Station, Alagomeji.

However, the stops will be the same if you go to Ibadan from Lagos.

The Lagos Ibadan Train service, which began operations on June 15th, 2021, runs four daily trips. On weekdays and Saturdays, there are two trips, one in the morning departing at 8 a.m. and an afternoon trip departing at 4 p.m. On Sundays, the schedule is the same, with a morning departure at 8 a.m. and an afternoon departure at 4 p.m. from Mobolaji Johnson Station in Alagomeji, Lagos.

Before Boarding 

When you enter the Lagos station, its grand functionality will immediately strike you. There is an ample car parking space that gives off airport vibes.

Ticket prices depend on the class, ranging from 9,000 naira for first class to 6,500 for business class and 3,000 for standard class. However, additional online charges apply. Making payments online is also a good idea, as cash is no longer collected at the ticket terminal.

 After booking your ticket, you can proceed to the waiting hall for the train. Unlike an aircraft where you have to weigh your luggage before boarding, there’s no sign of a scale at the terminal to weigh luggage, which means you can proceed with your boarding. The officials have a machine at the entrance to scan e-tickets’ barcodes for validation. At this point, escorts are not allowed beyond this gate, just like airports.

A careful study of the station will show that the maintenance level is high. The station’s meticulous upkeep is evident at every turn, from the escalators to the restrooms. The restroom is adequately cleaned and maintained. And you can conveniently take mirror selfies in it.

Soon enough, it would be best if you were informed that your train arrives with a loud horn, indicating the boarding time.

If you opt-in for the train that leaves at 8 am, you must board by 7:45 a.m. You’ll be asked to show your ticket before entering the train. Just like an aircraft, trains have similar seat patterns, and the seats are selected during the booking process. The officials can direct you according to your seat, class, and coach. There are three classes and five coaches.

On average, the journey from Lagos to Ibadan by train takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Passengers should ensure they get to the train station about 40 minutes before boarding, especially for those interested in getting their tickets manually. There is always a heavy queue at the station for ticket purchases, and you must have your identification card before purchasing a ticket.

Directions

For passengers boarding the train from Ikeja, take a bus to Yaba en route to Ikorodu Road. Take another bus from the Yaba bus stop to the Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos station. The entrance to the station is right next to the Alagomeji bus stop.

Passengers in Ibadan should take the train at the Moniya station, which is about a 20-minute drive from the Iwo Road Garage and a 10-minute drive from the Ojoo Central Park. A bus can be boarded from the Iwo Road Garage to the station, and if you are at Ojoo, you can board a bus from the OjooCentral Park to the station.

On the Train (Train Description)

The Lagos-Ibadan train can travel at 150 km/h. There are three classes: the first class has 24 seats, the business class has 56, and the economy class has 88.

There are two entrances to the train. The first is for the economy class, and the second is for the business class and the first class. Depending on your coach and class, you can ask the workers to direct you.

You must pass through the business class coach before entering the first-class section. At the entrance of the business class section, there’s a washbasin. The business class has four seats in each row, two on each side, and a table in front.

Just like the business class, there’s a mirror and wash hand basin at the entrance of the first class. The first class has three seats in a row, two on one side and one on the other, inside, and a table. Also, the first-class seats can be turned to face each other if you’re travelling in a group. The perks of sitting in the first-class cabin are that the legroom is spacious, and you can lie on the floor. Also, you can serve yourself on the train (get water from the dispenser, etc). There’s also a tiny kitchenette microwave for those who want to heat their food.

Inside, the train is neat and chilled. However, it’s necessary to dress appropriately when travelling with the Lagos/Ibadan train because the air conditioning can be very cold and not adjustable, unlike aeroplanes. There are sockets beside every seat to charge devices and overhead racks above every seat to keep your luggage. The seats are spacious enough to relax and stretch your legs; some seats on the train also face each other. You’ll see a mini-TV above the seats, but there is a high chance there might be no sound.

The officials make announcements in Yoruba and English at intervals about the stops and updates on the journey.

Unlike the strict rules aboard the Lagos Blue Rail line, eating and drinking are permitted on the Lagos Ibadan train, with vendors selling snacks and drinks throughout the journey but with a tendency to have high prices.

The restroom is neat, spacious, and comfortable, unlike an aircraft that is usually uncomfortable and small. Figuring out wealth is complicated, but do not worry—there’s a sign to direct you.

The downside you might experience during the journey is that the train is slow and stops at different points. One will assume that trains are always fast, but that doesn’t apply. On the bright side, the timing is strictly adhered to, as every passenger has 5 minutes to board and disembark, depending on the case.

Remember that the officials will request your e-ticket during the journey, so wait to get rid of it until you reach your destination.

As the train company has scheduled, you should reach Ibadan quickly. Upon arrival at the station, you’ll see bikes, cars, and buses ready to take passengers to their final destinations. You can choose to take the BRT bus, which costs 500 naira.

 

Roadmap

The trip starts at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station at Alagomeji, Ebute Metta, Lagos, and it moves to the Babatunde Raji Fashola Train Station at Agege, Lagos.

The journey continues to the Wole Soyinka Train Station at Abeokuta, and the train proceeds to the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Train Station at Omi Adio, Ibadan.

The train stops at the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station at Moniya, Ibadan.

Conclusion

Lagos is a beautiful city, but the chaotic energy can sometimes be overwhelming. When you start feeling like you need to take a break, you can use the opportunity to go on a Solo trip by train. There’s something different about travelling by train within Nigeria than the conventional bus, and you should try it if you are planning to visit Nigeria. After spending time in Ibadan and you’re ready to return to Lagos, you can board a train at Obafemi Awolowo Station. The station is smaller compared to that of Lagos but still meets up to the standard in terms of efficiency and functionality, although most stations look similar.