Getting Around Libya

2 more images

First of all : a tip for backpackers, still an unusual way of travel in Libya, be carefull, the roads are long, no local busses in the cities, only private mini vans awaiting till the "Van" is completely occupied, or take a local taxi (rather cheap) but discuss about the price first. There are NO trains at all, crossing the country. So untill now, beter to travel in organised tours and groups.
Visiting the country by yr own car :
- Advantage : you will drive in a luxery car compared with the local 4WD and the fuel is cheap
- Problem : you need a Libyan license plate ! And passing permissions at the checkpoints.
So organisize your trip months on beforehand.
The Libyan administration will check severaly that your incoming and outgoing car is the same.
So no car sales possible. In case of a total loss by a trafic accident, you have a problem.
Picture 3 shows you a classic fuel loading of a 4x4car loading fuel (150l) in the trunk of the car, and on its way to the desert. An incredible scéne in Europe

2 more images

One of the most traditional transport system WAS a camel, usefull for tribes by the nomads and berbers for trading purposes.
Nowadays the camels are more a touristic attraction and replaced by 4x4 cars, public and tourist busses, even by motorcycles
You will see some camel farms and centers, for food production

1 more image

Direct flight from BXL to Tripoli by Afriqiyah airways
I was a little bit concerned about the quality of the Libyan international and national air crafts
But since the international embargo was finished and they could got enough "Spare Parts", only a few years ago, and after my personal experience : Transport to Libya is safe: Flight from Bxl to Tripoli takes about 3 hours. The food is more than acceptable - the servants helpfull and friendly.
National flights are often completely booked - it will become even worse in the near feature, because Libya is becoming a touristic topic destination in N.Africa, without doubt, like it happened to the mysterial "A C" travels to Egypt.
History : Time is changing. During the embargo it was not possible to get to Tripoli by air. From Europe the route was Tunis and then by car. Direct flights with KLM, BA, Alitalia, SN Brussels, are now available. Five years ago a trip from Tripoli to Benghazi was by car/bus (1000km)
Nowadays you can reach the cities by air.

4 more images

During our eclipse trip in March 2006 we travelled by private busses. So it was easy to stop everywhere we liked to do so, for taking pictures, having lunch or a toiletstop.

All the roads on our way were paved, even deep in the desert around Jalu. So we didn't need landcruisers. We could put our luggage on the top of the bus. Our archaeological guide travelled with us in the bus and most of the time also somebody of the tourist police.

4 more images

The first time I visited Libya we made two desert crossings of about 4-5 days. The first from Ghadames to Ghat to the deep south along the Algerian border. The second from Ghat to El Uwainat visiting the spectacular Acacus area.

We made the trip with three 4WDs and one pick-up of a touragency, based in Ghadames. The four local drivers were very experienced to find their way in the desert and to drive their cars under difficult circumstances. We had hardly any mechanical problems en route. except with one car. We had to push this car every time after we made a stop, so the driver drove it at a slope if availiable.

We brought enough fuel and water. The drivers used the pickup for the water tanks, but also to transport the fire wood they pick up along the pistes.

As Tripoli is the capitol, you should not have any problem at all to find a taxi. They are in the colours black and white.
They are everywhere especially on rush hours and late in the evening.
We paid about 3 Dinar (less then 2 Euro) for 1 km.

I add the link for the Tripoli street map.

If you have to travel to and in Benghazi, many taxis are available at any time of the day and even during a part of the night.
If could be easy to have a street map. Here is a good link

http://www.libyana.org/cities/benghazi/street.htm

These are the companies :

Afriqiyah Airways
******************
This company connects Africa to Europe, Middle East, and Asia. It is currently flying to Tripoli, Abidjan, Bamako, Benghazi, Brussels, Cotonou, Geneva, Khartoum, Lome, Ndjamena, Niamey, Ouagadougou, Paris
It charters Tunisian airplanes and crew to travel into Europe. Friendly crew and perfect service. Speaking english, french and arab.

Afriqiya airlines

www.afriqiyah.be

Buraq Airlines
***************
We flew with Buraqair on domestic flights between Tripoli and Benghazi.
Before our luggage was loaded into the plane, we had to recognize it at the aire and put it on a cart

http://www.buraqair.com/

Jamahiriya Libyan Arab Airlines
**********************************
www.libyanarabairline.com

Tibesti Air Libya

*******************************************************
There are no railways, nor waterways in Libya.