Last checked: November 2026
Benin has no scheduled passenger trains that we could confirm, so travel inside the country is by road. Taxis and motorbike taxis cover short trips, shared taxis and buses link the southern towns, and a hired car with a driver suits days with several stops. The US and UK governments advise against travel to the northern border regions, so this guide covers the south.
What is the best way to get around Benin?
The best way to get around Benin depends on the trip. Use a taxi app or a hotel-arranged car in Cotonou, shared taxis or coaches between southern towns, and a private driver for day trips with several stops. Zemidjan motorbike taxis are quick for short trips, but helmets are compulsory and some governments advise car taxis instead.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi app (Gozem) | Cotonou and larger towns | Books a car or motorbike by phone, so there is less haggling |
| Zemidjan (motorbike taxi) | Short city trips | Wear a helmet and agree the fare first |
| Shared taxi (bush taxi) | Between towns | Leaves when full, so departure times are approximate |
| Coach or minibus | Longer routes | Schedules and comfort vary by operator |
| Car with a driver | Days with several stops | Arrange it through your hotel or a local agency |
| Self-drive | Confident drivers | Right-hand traffic, and you need an International Driving Permit |
| Boat | Lake Nokoué and Ganvié | Boats leave from the pier at Abomey-Calavi |
Are there trains in Benin?
We could not confirm any scheduled passenger trains. Benin has a railway line from Cotonou toward Parakou, but regular passenger service ended in the 1990s, according to reference sources, and the line is used mainly for freight when it runs at all. New rail projects are announced from time to time, so check locally and do not build a trip around one.
Are there domestic flights?
We could not confirm regular scheduled domestic passenger flights. Cotonou handles the international traffic, and every route in this guide can be done by road. For airport arrivals and transfers from Cotonou airport, see the flights to Benin guide.
How do intercity buses and shared taxis work?
Buses and shared taxis connect Cotonou with most southern towns. Some coaches run on regular schedules and others leave when full, so quality and timing differ by operator, according to Wikivoyage and Lonely Planet. Shared taxis, often called bush taxis, wait at taxi yards in Cotonou and Porto-Novo and leave once every seat is taken.
Regional coaches also link Cotonou with Lomé, Lagos and Accra. Check the border situation and your visa for the neighbouring country before you book, and allow extra time for border checks.
Taxis, ride-hailing apps and zemidjans
Zemidjans are the everyday transport for most people in Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Ouidah, and you can spot them by their yellow vests. The Belgian foreign ministry notes that helmets have been compulsory for riders and passengers since March 2024, and it recommends car taxis booked through the Gozem app over motorbike taxis for visitors in Cotonou. Read its transport advice for Benin for details.
The Gozem app is the taxi app that travel guides name most often, and some guides also report Yango in larger cities. Global apps such as Uber and Bolt are not widely available, so confirm which app works on your phone. Street taxis rarely use meters, and many wait at fixed points for passengers who hire the whole car, so agree the fare before you get in. We do not quote fares because we could not confirm official rates.
Driving and car rental in Benin
Traffic drives on the right. The UK government says UK drivers need their licence and the correct version of the International Driving Permit in the car, and international rental companies at Cotonou airport also ask for an International Driving Permit alongside a national licence. Rental desks set their own minimum age and deposit rules, so confirm them when you book.
Roads in the south are busy with motorbikes and trucks, and some are uneven or dusty, especially around Lake Nokoué and in the wet season. Many visitors prefer a car with a driver for longer routes. The UK safety and security advice for Benin includes a section on road travel.
City public transport and travel cards
We could not confirm a metro, tram or city rail line in any Beninese city. City transport is made up of zemidjans, taxis and minibuses, and we found no travel card or ticket system for visitors. Pay in cash or through a taxi app.
Boats and ferries
We could not confirm scheduled passenger ferries. The main boat trip for visitors is the tour of the stilt village of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué, which starts at the pier in Abomey-Calavi. Agree the price and the length of the trip before you board.
Travel times between the main places
| Route | Typical time by road | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cotonou to Porto-Novo | 50 minutes to 2 hours | About 38 km, slower in traffic |
| Cotonou to Ouidah | About 1 hour | Roughly 40 km |
| Cotonou to Ganvié pier | About 1 hour, then a boat | Pier at Abomey-Calavi |
| Cotonou to Grand-Popo | About 1.5 hours | South-west coast |
| Cotonou to Abomey | 2.5 to 3 hours | Slower in the wet season |
| Abomey to Porto-Novo | About 3.5 hours | About 131 km, according to Lonely Planet |
These times are planning estimates, not official figures. For day-by-day routes that use them, see the Benin itineraries, and for where to base yourself, the where to stay in Benin guide.
Which option should you choose?
- Choose a taxi app if you want the least haggling in Cotonou.
- Choose a zemidjan if you want the fastest short ride through traffic, and you will wear a helmet.
- Choose a shared taxi or coach if you want the lowest cost between towns and can accept a flexible departure time.
- Choose a car with a driver if you want to reach Abomey and Ouidah in one day without managing roads yourself.
- Choose a boat if you want the most scenic short trip, which is the lake village of Ganvié.
Common mistakes
- Getting into an unofficial taxi without agreeing the fare.
- Riding a zemidjan without a helmet.
- Expecting a shared taxi to leave at a fixed time. Timetables change, and vehicles leave when full.
- Driving without an International Driving Permit.
- Planning long road days in the wet season without spare time. See the best time to visit Benin guide.
- Adding northern destinations without reading the current advisories.
Quick checklist
- Cash in West African CFA francs for taxis and shared taxis
- Gozem installed and set up before you arrive
- A helmet, or a plan to use car taxis
- Your licence and International Driving Permit, if you plan to drive
- Your hotel’s phone number and address in French
- Extra time for traffic in Cotonou and for rain
FAQs
Does Benin have trains?
We could not confirm any scheduled passenger trains. The Cotonou to Parakou line exists, but regular passenger service ended in the 1990s, according to reference sources. Plan on road transport, and check locally if a new service is announced.
Is Uber available in Benin?
We could not confirm Uber service. Travel guides name Gozem as the main taxi app in Cotonou, and some report Yango in larger cities. Check which app works on your phone after you arrive, and keep cash for taxis that do not use apps.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Benin?
Carry one. The UK government says UK drivers need the correct version of the permit with their licence, and rental companies list it as required or recommended. Ask your rental company which version it accepts before you travel.
Are zemidjans safe?
They carry real risk. Helmets have been compulsory for riders and passengers since March 2024, according to the Belgian foreign ministry, which advises visitors in Cotonou to prefer car taxis. If you ride one, wear a helmet, agree the fare first and avoid riding at night.
How do I get from Cotonou to Ouidah?
Allow about an hour by road. Options are a shared taxi, a taxi booked through your hotel or a hired car with a driver. Leave early, because Cotonou traffic can add time, and plan your return before dark.