Which means of transport to use Benin?

From the airport to the city centre Benin

All international flights land at Cotonou's Cadjehoun International Airport. The major international hotels are less than 10 minutes away by car, while those in Ganhi, the city center, are about 15 minutes from the tarmac. If you are staying at one of the larger hotels in the city, there is a good chance that a shuttle bus will be waiting for you at the airport exit (even the smaller hotels offer this service, so ask when you make your reservation). If not, you can take a cab (around 5,000 CFA francs per ride). The more adventurous (and those with less luggage) can climb onto a zem, the local motorcycle cab, for 1,000 or 1,500 FCFA.

Arrival by boat Benin

There are motorized pirogues and bamboo or pole pirogues that are reminiscent of gondolas. To visit the tourist sites that are the lakeside villages of Lake Nokoué, you need to rent a pirogue that you will find at the piers of Abomey-Calavi and Porto-Novo. But you can also take a pirogue to go down a river, to see the riverside villages of a river or of Lake Ahémé or to discover the lagoon. In this case, if nothing is organized by a hotel, it is necessary to rent a boat from the local people, usually without a motor.

Public transport Benin

Taxi-brousse. To get out or to arrive in Cotonou, the cheapest solution is to share a vehicle that has already been driven well with "many" other people and luggage: the taxi-brousse. This kind of experience is not to be forgotten! Even if you are assured that the cab will leave immediately, you should know that it will only leave when it is full and this sometimes takes some time. The 504 Peugeot is considered full when there are 6 passengers, not including the driver... If you want to be seated comfortably, you can pay the price of two seats, which gives you the right to the front seat for you alone! Bush cabs can be found in most cities and large villages in Benin. You must choose the vehicle according to your itinerary. The fare is usually fixed and the same for all passengers. Although the taxi-brousse is an economical means of transportation, it is not without risk, due to the poor condition of the vehicles, which are often overloaded, and the often dangerous driving of the drivers. On the other hand, be content with using it in the south of the country or as far as Abomey on the way back north, after which the trips promise to be (much) too long, and even dangerous.

Bus. For those on a budget, the best way to get around the country is by bus. The companies ATT and Baobab are the most recommendable today. The vehicles are quite decent, offer air conditioning and even Wi-Fi. They circulate between the main cities of the country and are a rather safe and economical solution. Do not hesitate to contact the companies to make sure of the schedules and the rates which can, it must be said, be a little fluctuating.

With a driver Benin

Cab. There are few cabs in Cotonou and in the major cities of Benin. If you see one available, you should hail it with a wave of the hand and negotiate the fare before boarding. Cabs are also parked in front of major hotels, but their fares are much higher. To get out of Cotonou, it is the taxi-brousse or the bus.

Zemidjan. In Cotonou and in all the big cities of the country, the motorcycle cab or zemidjan is the most common means of transportation, because it is fast and cheap. You sit behind a driver dressed in a tunic whose color is specific to each city. In Cotonou, the zemidjans are in yellow. As for the cab, the price of the race is negotiated in advance, and is generally between 100 FCFA and 600 FCFA (less than one euro!).

By car Benin

Renting a vehicle in Benin is a big expense in the trip. Rental agencies charge different prices in different regions. For example, the price of a rental is often higher if you are traveling in the north than if you are staying in Cotonou. To travel in the national parks or on most of the tracks, you need an all-terrain vehicle, which is obviously quite expensive. Car rental agencies, present in all countries of the world, charge a minimum of 25,000 or 30,000 CFA francs per day for a small passenger car and 80,000 CFA francs or more for a 4X4. Although they are often more expensive than small travel agencies or associations that provide this service, they offer a certain security. The vehicles are in good condition and insured. Don't forget that the price of fuel is never included in the rental of a vehicle.

Rental with driver. This is the most common and practical solution. You can fully enjoy the scenery, while chatting pleasantly with the driver and, above all, in case of a breakdown or any other problem, he will know how to do what is necessary. However, you must add to the price of the vehicle rental the remuneration of the driver, between 5 000 and 10 000 FCFA (8 to 15 €) per day. In any case, make sure that this payment covers his personal expenses for accommodation and food. The drivers have their addresses and know how to do it. Nevertheless, make sure that the driver takes the time to eat before taking the road.

Main roads. National roads and other paved roads are well signposted. However, when you take secondary roads, you may get lost. During the dry season especially, the tracks are not very distinguishable, especially in the national parks, but the guides are there for that. National Road 1 runs along the entire coastline from Nigeria to Togo for 87 km. It passes through Cotonou, Ouidah, Grand-Popo. National Road 2 runs from south to north, from Cotonou to the Nigerian border (733 km), passing through Dassa, Parakou, Kandi and Malanville. From Parakou, the road is often used by large cotton transporters. National Road 3 runs from Dassa to Natitingou (435 km). These national roads, known as inter-state roads because they link Benin to a neighboring country, have been the subject of a special effort, as the European Union has financed the asphalting of a large number of these roads in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. From these main roads, a few secondary roads, sometimes in good condition but most often difficult to drive, form a fairly dense network