Also in this section:

Before you go

Health
and safety

Money

Communication

Travel agencies

Getting to Benin

From the U.S. and Europe, there are flights on Air France via Paris. If the flight schedules to Cotonou are not convenient for you, consider flying to Lome, Togo, and taking a taxi from there to Cotonou (three hours).

Traveling within Benin

Within all large cities, towns, and some villages, you'll find motorcycle-taxis called "zemidjans." You'll recognize the drivers by their colored shirts (yellow in Cotonou, purple in Porto Novo, etc.). These are by far the fastest, most convenient, cheapest way to travel from place to place within a city, or between neighboring cities and towns. The quality of drivers and motorbikes, however, varies greatly, and breakdowns are not uncommon. Be sure to discuss price with your driver before getting on the bike. Travel within Cotonou, for example can range from 100-200 CFA to get from one part of the city to another; the fares increase after dark.