For the short distance it's also a nice road to walk, if you can stay in the shade of the palmtrees, just for reaching the next restaurant or one of the small beachbars.
 | Benin Transportation 
 
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Benin Travel Guide
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 | Benin Transportation | Tips 1 - 10 of 27 |  | ||
Popular Transportation | Miscellaneous Transportation Tips | All Tips (27)
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 | Road along the beach |   |  |
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 |  on April 6, 2004 |
To visit the beaches west of Cotonou, you have to take the unpaved road along the beach. If you don't have your own transport, you have to take a car or motorcycle as taxi. For the short distance it's also a nice road to walk, if you can stay in the shade of the palmtrees, just for reaching the next restaurant or one of the small beachbars. |
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| Lake Nokoue, sailing pirogue | | |
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| on April 6, 2004 |
At the launching point in Abomey and on our way to Ganvie I saw a lot of pirogues, which have to be moved by hand. But on the lagoon I saw also some pirogues with a sail, using the wind. It was a nice view to see these pirogues also as sailing boats at the Lake Nokoue. |
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| Ganvie, pirogues | | |
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| on April 6, 2004 |
In Ganvie and at the lake Nokoue the local people use the traditional wooden pirogues for transportation of persons, but also for all kinds of goods. If you visit Ganvie or the other villages, you can choose also to take a pirogue, but there are also roofed motorboats. |
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| Long distance bus from Cotonou to Accra | | |
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| on April 6, 2004 |
Finding your bushtaxi or bus in Cotonou is not always easy. Like in many West-African cities every destination has its own motor park, auto gare, busstation or just only an embarkation point. The long distance bus to Accra in Ghana departs from one of the unpaved side roads a few blocks from the Avenue de la Republique. So best to find out in time, from where you have to leave for your destination. |
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| Lake Nokoue, fuel station | | |
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| on April 6, 2004 |
In Ganvie and at the Lake Nokoue everything is built on stilts on the water or floating. So I was not surprised to see a local petrol station, not far from the launching point of Abomey-Calavi, built on stilts, providing petrol in bottles and plastic containers. |
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| Motorcycle-taxis |  | |
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| on April 6, 2004 |
In the centre of Cotonou you see a lot of motorcycles, like in many other West-African countries. Many of the motorcycles are taxis. To choose the right one, just look at the yellow shirts of the drivers. It's an easy and cheap way of transport and gives a lot of fun. Prices started from about 100 CFA. For longer distances and in the evening we took a car as taxi. The 5 KM price for a car to the campsite was 3000 CFA. |
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| Motocycles Everywhere | | |
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 |  on July 15, 2006 |
Within the city of Cotonou you will never be left stranded. The roads of Benin are full of motorcycles (Zemidjan) wanting to give you a ride. The familiar looking yellow jacketed motorcycle riders will never leave you alone on the road, they will always stop by you hinting you a lift. Night or day it is really easy a mode of transport. Just carry a helmet with you..the ride is rough !!! |
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| Bush taxi to/from Lome | | |
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 |  on November 30, 2003 |
For a very comfortable and quick ride to/from Cotonou, consider hiring out a bush taxi for the trip. You have to buy all the seats, but the cost is still reasonable, US$10-15. After many cramped bush taxi rides, it was nice to have enough room for your luggage and your feet, not to mention you butt! PLus, they will take you to exactly where you want to go in Lome or Cotonou. Name the hotel, and your left at the door! |
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| Air Connections from Benin | | |
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| on July 15, 2006 |
There are a few connections from/to the Cotonou Airport. Airlines Operating Air Senegal - to and from Dakar (Senegal) , Abidjan (Cote d'ivoire) Air Mauritaine - to and from Dakar, Abidjan, Bamako (Mali) Air Ivoire - to and from Abidjan Air France - to and from Paris (daily) Air Gabon - to and from Libreville (Gabon) Air Burkina - to and from Ougadougou Air MAuritaine, Air Gabon, Air France are the better airlines that I have travelled in, the rest operate smaller aircrafts. For anyone coming from Europe, the best connection is Air France - Paris. From US and americas, the best connection is from Senegal. |
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| Take the train | | |
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| on November 30, 2003 |
If you are heading to Northern Benin or on to Niger, and you have the time, consider taking the train. It is surprisingly comfortable, it travels away from the roads to some slightly remoter villages, and is much less crowded than a bush taxi. The down side is that it is slower and only goes to Parakou, but Parakou is a pleasant enough place to make a stop before continuing on to Pendjari National Park or Niger. |
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More Benin Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 22 - Photos: 13 |
| Restaurants Tips: 22 - Photos: 12 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 21 - Photos: 14 |
| Things To Do Tips: 68 - Photos: 62 | Nightlife Tips: 10 - Photos: 3 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 8 - Photos: 5 | Tourist Traps Tips: 3 - Photos: 2 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 11 - Photos: 6 | Transportation Tips: 27 - Photos: 17 |
| Local Customs Tips: 19 - Photos: 18 | Packing Lists Tips: 9 - Photos: 6 |
| Shopping Tips: 6 - Photos: 6 | Sports Travel Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 |
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