World Country Guide

Travel - International

Travel warning
Travellers are currently advised against all travel to Cte d’Ivoire. Clashes have been particularly noted in the west. Renewed fighting could lead to a backlash in Abidjan. The situation is volatile and liable to change at short notice. For further advice, contact your local government travel advice department.

Air
Airlines serving Cte d’Ivoire include Air Burkina, Air France, Egyptair, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Trans African Airlines. Cte d’Ivoire has a shareholding in Air Afrique, although the future of this airline, due to financial difficulties, is still under negotiation. It is recommended that visitors re-confirm returns flights 72 hours in advance.

Approximate flight times
From Abidjan to London is 6 hours, to New York is 12 hours.

International airports
Abidjan (ABJ) (Flix Houphout-Boigny) is 16km (10 miles) (website: www.aeria.ci) southeast of Abidjan (travel time – 25 minutes). Buses and taxis are available to the city (travel time - 25 minutes). Airport facilities include duty-free shop, restaurant, shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office and car hire (Avis).
Yamoussoukro (ASK) (San Pedro) has been upgraded to international standard.

Departure tax
CFAfr3000 for African destinations and CFAfr5000 for all other departures (from Abidjan airport - prices differ according to airport flown from).

Sea
There are no regular passenger sailings but cargo liners provide limited accommodation for passengers travelling from Europe.

Rail
There are two through-trains with sleeping and restaurant cars from Abidjan to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) daily (travel time – 25 to 27 hours). Those intending to travel should be aware that the Burkina Faso rail network is under constant threat of closure because of financial difficulties: check with the appropriate authorities before finalising arrangements.

Road
There are road links of varying quality from Kumasi (Ghana) and from Burkina Faso, Guinea and Liberia and Mali. Borders close at night. Bus: Frequent services operate to Accra (Ghana) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). There is a service approximately once a week to Bamako (Mali); the journey can be very long (36 to 96 hours). Bush taxis also operate on these routes.