Eritrea Transportation

 
by georeiser
 
  •   Transportation
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  • Going to Senafe...
      Going to Senafe...
    by titti
  • The schoolbus in Asmara
      The schoolbus in Asmara
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  • Bicycles in Asmara
      Bicycles in Asmara
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  • Bicycles in Asmara
      Bicycles in Asmara
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Buses and taxis

by scotsgirl

Petrol is extortionate in Eritrea! As such, taxis are very expensive, though readily available at a price. But you can find people to share the cost if taking long journeys... Expect to pay 50 nakfa for a short taxi ride in Asmara. We paid over $100 for a 2-hour taxi ride.The reason for our occasional taxi extravagance was that buses are difficult. Note, it can be easier to take a bus from othercities TO Asmara than to get a bus FROM Asmara as the queues are really massive and the bus stops in Asmara quite confusing, with queues of literally hundreds of people.Government buses are cheaper. Minibuses are slightly more expensive but faster and comfortable. "black market buses" are privately owned buses, which are similar to government buses but a little more expensive. All are far cheaper than a taxi. Though they don't move until they're full. And stop frequently... Have your travel permit...

Visas and travel permits

by scotsgirl

As is well documented, the visa you obtain to visit Eritrea only lets you travel to Asmara. You need to visit the Tourist Office on Harnet Avenue and apply for a tourist travel permit for the other places you'd like to visit. This costs 20 Nakfa and we obtained it the same day we applied (go early in the morning). When writing where you'd like to visit, be as extensive as possible (make a list before going in). They scored a few places off our list (Lake Badda and surrounds) due to security issues, but happily approved the others. To get a permit you need a photocopy of your passport and Eritrean visa (ideally bring with you, but there are stationary shops in Asmara where you can get copies). Once you have your travel permit, photocopy it a few times - you are asked to show it at large numbers of checkpoints throughout the country and some, eg. Filfil, demand a copy or they won't let you...

Excellent transportation service

by titti

It seems to be easy to travel around the country by pubblic transportation. Small buses run almost everywhere, from early morning to late afternoon. Probably it takes time to visit the country just by pubblic buses. If you need a car with driver I recommend Gebrehiwet Waldemariam. He is a nice man, good driver, always ready to help, and can provide minibus, 4X4 WD, cars. More over, despite what you can think about African people, he is always on time, even a bit earlier. Unfortunately, travel by car could be expensive for fuel is very expensive in the country.

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Overland to Eritrea

by hunwagner

As of 2004, the only land border of Eritrea open for travellers was the one with Djibouti.There are shared taxis between Assab in Eritrea and Moulhoule in Djibouti, with connections to Obbock.The Sudanese border was only crossed by locals illegally during my visit, but reopened in late 2006. It remains to be seen how long it will stay open, and you need travel permits to reach the border towns (Kassala in Sudan and Tesseney in Eritrea) from either side. The heavily militarized Ethiopian border is as tightly sealed as they get.

Railways in Eritrea

by hunwagner

The Italians built a good railway network in Eritrea under their rule, but it has fallen into disuse later on. However, since independence the Eritrean givernment has restored the extremely scenic line between Asmara and Massawa. Unfortunately there are no scheduled services anyway (probably because the buses are faster). Your only hope is tagging along for a ride on services chartered by tour-groups.

By Road around Eritrea

by hunwagner

There is an extensive and cheap bus service around much of Eritrea. Fares are incredibly low: around 1 USD for a 3-4 hour long journey! Of course, at these prices you can't expect much in the way of comforts.Should you need those comforts (or flexiblity), you can either hire a car to drive yourself, or hire a taxi with a driver to take you around.

By Sea to Eritrea

by hunwagner

Many travellers are hoping to catch a boat between Massawa & Sudan/Egypt, and Assab & Yemen.However there are no passenger boats on either of these routes, and even if you found a cargo ship going your way, burocracy might stop you from taking it!

By Air to Eritrea

by hunwagner

Eritrea is only served by a few airlines.Of the neighbouring countries it is connected to Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen (but not Ethiopia!), while in Europe Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt (and by now perhaps London) have direct flights.Some of the cheapest flights to Eritrea tend to be on Egypt Air via Cairo.

Getting to Dhalak Islands

by Saagar

I have been to the Dahlak islands for snorkelling and general sightseeing. Even if this was close to 4 years ago, I assume the situation is much the same as Eritrea has gone from one economic-political crisis to the other and not much has happened in tourism development and investment. I guess that my description may still hold water... It is straight-forward to go Dahlak. You have to obtain/pay a national park fee, not so much. They know all the logistical stuff and routines and contacts at Dahlak Hotel in Massawa. You need to rent a boat (ensure it has a canopy, otherwise you'll get fried) with a captain/guide. Bring a packaged lunch or make a booking for lunch/overnight at the Luul Hotel at Dahlak Kabir island.Bring water, lots and lots of water to drink. Ensure you have good snorkelling equipment - what we saw in terms of fins, snorkels and masks were quite rudimentary. Better bring...

Tip Photo
Overland to Eritrea

by Saagar

You cannot legally cross from Ethiopia into Eritrea because of the war-like but truce situation. It would also be dangerous to try to cross illegally due to land mines, unexploded ordinance and trigger-happy nervous soldiers on both sides.You can enter from the Sudan from Kassala into Tesenay and on to Barentu.There are cargo ships calling at Massawa and Assab from Jeddah in Sauda Arabia. There are frequent legal and illegal (smuggling) boats crossing over to Yemen - the same boats that "go fishing" or take tourists to the Dahlak islands. No schedules, though...I have not heard anything about the Eritrean-Djibouti border being closed. I certainly know that Afar traders cross into Djibouti from near Assab, and that there are rutted tracks crossing over. Stay on the road/tracks as this area saw much fighting - artillery duels and pitched battles/land mining during the recent war. From...

Top 1 Hotels in Eritrea

InterContinental Asmara  Asmara

 3 Reviews and 11 Opinions  Arrived at the hotel after a late night flight from Frankfurt. Staff was always pleasant especially... 

 Hotels in Asmara

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Questions and Answers

grizzlypeak profile photo

Q:  We will be in Ethiopia in January and ending Feb 4. We would like to get to Eritrea. I keep reading that it is NOT possible to get... 

maykal profile photo

A: I don't know...but I'd like to know, so I'm tracking this post! A friend of mine did cross between Eritrea and Djibouti, but that was some years ago and border... 

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