Getting There and Travelling Around

International Airports

• Douala (DLA): 10 km from the city.
• Nsimalen (NSI): 25 km from the city.

• Full list of airports in Cameroon with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

Air travel is the most efficient way to travel, with daily flights between Douala and Yaoundé and less regular flights to other interior towns.

Transport in Cameroon is often difficult; roads are poorly maintained and subject to inclement weather, since fewer than 7% are tarred. Driving on the Yaoundé to Douala trunk road should be avoided as accidents happen frequently. Night driving is not recommended; not only are many vehicles poorly lit and badly driven, but car hijackings and violent muggings have also become increasingly common, particularly in the most northerly provinces. Roadblocks often serve little other purpose than to allow police and gendarmes to collect bribes.

Limited car hire is available in Douala, Yaoundé and Limbé; however, visitors should be aware that roadside assistance is non-existent. Taxis and share-taxis are available at fixed rate; however, city taxis do not generally comply with basic safety features and seatbelts are often absent. Although taxis are relatively cheap and fast, it is not uncommon for taxi passengers to be subjected to violent assaults, so the choice of taxi must be considered carefully.

Modern coach services are available between Yaoundé and Douala, and other bus services also exist between other main centres and more rural areas. However, these can be unreliable and are often suspended during the rainy season. Buses also have a reputation for being dangerous; road safety is not a priority and accidents are common.

A slow, but cheap rail service runs from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré on the 'Gazelle du Nord', which runs along the Trans-Cameroon railway from Douala to Ngaoundéré via Yaoundé and Belabo, with a branch line from Ngoumen to Mbalmayo. Other services include:

• Yaoundé to Douala, with onward connections to Nkongsamba
• Douala to Nkongsamba, with a branch line leading off from Mbanga to Kumba

Tickets must be booked on the day of travel. Couchettes are available, as are first- and second-class seats. Trains usually have a restaurant car.

Travellers should be aware that petty theft is common on trains, buses, coaches and taxis, and visitors to Cameroon who rely on public transport are urged to remain vigilant.