Last checked: November 2026
Getting around Burundi means travelling by road. We found no passenger trains and no confirmed scheduled domestic flights, so shared minibuses, taxis and a hired car with a driver do most of the work. Roads are often poor, fuel is short and some routes are covered by official advisories.
What is the best way to travel inside Burundi?
The most practical option for visitors is a private car with a local driver, booked through your hotel or a tour operator. Shared minibuses are the budget choice between towns, but they leave when full and vehicles are often poorly maintained. Avoid travelling by road outside Bujumbura after dark, according to the UK FCDO.
Transport options in Burundi at a glance
| Mode | Does it exist? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights | No scheduled service confirmed | World Travel Guide says there are no scheduled internal flights |
| Passenger trains | No | We found no working passenger rail service |
| Intercity buses and minibuses | Yes | The main public option, usually leaving once full |
| Private car with a driver | Yes | The most flexible choice for Karera Falls and the Source of the Nile |
| Self-drive | Possible | Traffic keeps right, roads and fuel supply are difficult |
| Taxis and motorbike taxis | Yes | Agree the fare before you start |
| City minibuses in Bujumbura | Yes | Fixed routes, with no metro or tram |
| Lake boats | Not confirmed | We could not confirm scheduled passenger ferries on Lake Tanganyika |
There is no national bus or rail operator with a booking website, so ask your hotel to arrange seats or a driver. For airport arrivals and transfers, see the flights to Burundi guide.
How long do journeys between main places take?
| Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Bujumbura to Gitega | About 100 km | About 2 hours in dry weather |
| Bujumbura to Ngozi | Not confirmed | 2.5 to 3.5 hours by shared minibus |
| Bujumbura to Karera Falls | 130 to 140 km | 3 to 4 hours, with a dirt track at the end |
| Bujumbura to the Source of the Nile | About 115 km | Allow most of a day for the round trip |
These are planning estimates from travel sources, not official timetables. Rain, roadblocks, landslides and fuel queues can add hours. Our Burundi itineraries build these drives into 3, 5, 7 and 10 day plans.
Which transport should you choose?
- Choose a private driver if you want the most predictable trip, or if you plan to visit Karera Falls or the Source of the Nile.
- Choose a shared minibus if budget matters and you can travel in daylight on the main Bujumbura to Gitega road and accept a wait while the vehicle fills.
- Choose the Bujumbura to Gitega road if you want hill scenery on the way to the national museum and the Gishora Drum Sanctuary.
- Choose a taxi arranged by your hotel for short trips in Bujumbura, especially in the evening.
Intercity buses and shared minibuses
Minibuses and shared taxis, often called taxi-brousse, link Bujumbura with Gitega, Ngozi and other regional towns. They usually depart when full rather than on a timetable, and tickets are bought at the bus station. One traveller reported that the Gitega bus station sits a few kilometres outside the town centre, so allow time and a short taxi ride at both ends. The UK FCDO says public transport vehicles are often poorly maintained and driven badly, and it advises against using public transport after dark.
Driving and car rental
- Side of the road: traffic drives on the right.
- Licence: the UK FCDO says a UK photocard licence can be used for six months. Check the rule for your own licence, and consider an international driving permit.
- Road quality: only a small number of roads are paved, and landslides can block roads or destroy bridges, especially after heavy rain.
- Roadblocks: document checks are common and not always official, so carry copies of your passport and visa and expect to show originals.
- Fuel: the FCDO describes severe fuel shortages and long lines, so do not assume you can refuel on the way.
- Emergencies: the FCDO lists the Red Cross on 109 and the police on 112, but says emergency services may be slow to respond.
Hiring a car with a local driver avoids most of these problems and is the usual choice for visitors. Do not drive the RN5 road north of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, or the RN6 and RN10 roads through Kibira National Park, because the FCDO advises against all travel there.
Taxis, motorbike taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are available in Bujumbura and Gitega, and motorbike taxis operate in several towns. Agree the fare before you get in, because meters are not standard. We could not confirm that international ride-hailing apps work in Burundi, so ask your hotel for a trusted driver. The FCDO notes that motorbike taxis are often poorly maintained and have low driving standards, which is a good reason to choose a car.
City transport in Bujumbura
Bujumbura has no metro or tram. Shared minivans, often called taxi-bus or Hiace, run on fixed routes and form the main public transport. They can be crowded, and pickpocketing is a risk. We could not confirm any travel card or official city transport operator. The FCDO advises against walking in the streets or using public transport after dark, even in the city centre.
Trains, domestic flights and boats
Passenger trains do not run, and no scheduled domestic flights are confirmed. The only international airport is in Bujumbura, so every flight arrival starts there. By land, the FCDO says the Tanzania border continues to operate normally, although fuel shortages may limit transport, while the Rwanda border has been closed since 11 January 2024 and the DRC border area is unstable.
Common mistakes
- Taking unofficial taxis from the street, especially after dark.
- Assuming a timetable exists, when minibuses leave once they are full.
- Planning two long drives in one day, such as Karera Falls and Gitega.
- Setting out with half a tank, when fuel is scarce.
- Ignoring changes after heavy rain, when roads and bridges can close.
Before you travel: checklist
- Check the UK FCDO safety and security page and the US travel advisory for the latest road advice
- Arrange a driver and vehicle through your hotel in advance
- Carry copies of your passport and visa, and cash in small notes
- Fill the tank whenever fuel is available
- Plan to be off the roads before dark
- Choose your base with the where to stay in Burundi guide
FAQs
Is there a train in Burundi?
No passenger trains run in Burundi, as far as we could confirm. Travel inside the country is by road, using shared minibuses, taxis or a hired car with a driver, so plan extra time for every journey.
Can I rent a car in Burundi?
Yes, but most visitors hire a car with a local driver. Roads are poor, landslides can close routes, fuel is scarce and roadblocks are common. If you drive yourself, carry your licence, passport copies and a full tank.
Is it safe to take minibuses?
The UK FCDO says public transport vehicles are often poorly maintained and driven badly, and it advises against using them after dark. If you take one, travel by day on main routes and keep your belongings close.
How do I get from Bujumbura to Gitega?
Gitega is about 100 km away, roughly two hours by road in dry weather. Take a hired car with a driver or a shared minibus in daylight, and see the best places to visit in Burundi for what to see there.