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 some 15 minutes from the tarmac. If you're staying at one of the city's major hotels, there's a good chance that a shuttle bus will be waiting for you at the airport exit (even the smallest hotels offer this service - ask when booking). Otherwise, you'll need to take a cab (around 5,000 FCFA). The more adventurous (and those with less luggage) can hop on a zem, the local motorcycle cab, for 1,000 FCFA.
Arrival by boat Benin
There are motorized pirogues and bamboo or pole pirogues reminiscent of gondolas. To visit the tourist sites that are the lakeside villages of Lake Nokoué, you need to hire a pirogue, which you'll find at the piers in Abomey-Calavi and Porto-Novo. But you can also take a pirogue down a river, to see the villages along a river or Lake Ahémé, or to discover the lagoon. In this case, if nothing has been organized by a hotel, you'll have to hire a boat from the local people, usually without a motor.
Public transport Benin
Taxi-brousse. To get out of or into Cotonou, the cheapest solution is to share a well-travelled vehicle with "lots" of other people and luggage: the taxi-brousse. You won't forget this kind of experience! Even if you're assured that the cab will leave immediately, you should know that it will only leave when fully booked, which can sometimes take a while. 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 entitles you to the front seat all to yourself! Bush cabs can be found in most towns and large villages in Benin. Choose your vehicle according to your itinerary. The fare is normally fixed and the same for all passengers. Although the taxi-brousse is an economical means of transport, 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, stick to using them in the south of the country or as far north as Abomey, after which the journeys promise to be (much) too long, and even dangerous.
Bus. For those on a tight budget, the best way to get around the country is by bus. The ATT and Baobab companies are the most recommendable today. Their vehicles are quite decent, with air-conditioning and even Wi-Fi. They operate between the country's main towns and are a safe and economical solution. Don't hesitate to contact the companies to check timetables and fares, which can, it has to be said, fluctuate a little.
With a driver Benin
Cabs. There aren't many cabs in Cotonou and other major cities in Benin. If you see one available, wave to it and negotiate the fare before boarding. Cabs are also parked in front of major hotels, but their fares are considerably higher. To get out of Cotonou, take the taxi-brousse or the bus.
Zémidjan. In Cotonou and all the country's major cities, the motorcycle cab or zémidjan is the most common means of transport, because it's fast and cheap. You sit behind a driver dressed in a tunic whose color is specific to each city. In Cotonou, zémidjans are yellow. As with cabs, the fare is negotiated in advance, and is generally between 200 FCFA and 700 FCFA (less than a euro!).
The GoZem app. Like Uber and other VTCs in France, you can download the app and order a motorcycle, tricycle or cab. You'll be guaranteed an official driver and a helmet, and you can pay via the app or directly with the driver.
By car Benin
Renting a vehicle in Benin is a major expense when traveling. Rental agencies charge different prices in different regions. For example, the price of a rental is often higher if you're driving in the North than if you're staying in Cotonou. To get around the national parks or most of the country's tracks, you'll need an all-terrain vehicle, which is obviously quite expensive. Car rental agencies, present in every country in the world, charge a minimum of 25,000 or 30,000 FCFA per day for a small touring car, and 60,000 FCFA or more for a 4X4. Admittedly, they are often more expensive than small travel agencies or associations that provide this service, but they do offer a degree of security. Vehicles are in good condition and insured. Don't forget that fuel is never included in the price of a rental vehicle.
Hire with driver. This is the most common and practical solution. You can enjoy the scenery to the full, while chatting pleasantly with the driver and, above all, in the event of a breakdown or any other problem, he'll be able to take care of everything. However, in addition to the cost of hiring the vehicle, you'll need to pay the driver between 5,000 and 10,000 FCFA (€8 to €15) per day. In any case, make sure that this remuneration covers his personal expenses for accommodation and meals. Drivers have their own addresses and know what to do. However, make sure the driver takes time to eat before setting off.
Main roads. National highways and other paved roads are well signposted. On the other hand, if you take secondary tracks, you may get lost. Particularly in the dry season, it's hard to tell the tracks apart, especially in the national parks, but that's what the guides are there for. National Route 1 runs 87 km along the coast from Nigeria to Togo. It passes through Cotonou, Ouidah and Grand-Popo. Route nationale 2 runs south to north, from Cotonou to the Nigerian border (733 km), via Dassa, Parakou, Kandi and Malanville. From Parakou onwards, the road is often used by large cotton transporters. Route nationale 3 runs from Dassa to Natitingou (435 km). These national roads, known as inter-state roads as they link Benin to a neighboring country, have been the focus 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 routes, a number of secondary routes, sometimes in good condition but more often difficult to negotiate, form a fairly dense network.
