How to get to Ivory Coast

By | May 4, 2022

Overview

Ivory Coast is a country in Africa according to historyaah. In the Middle Ages, the region now called Côte d’Ivoire was at the center of several African trade routes that connected the kingdoms on the territory of what are now Ghana and Mali. European traders had been present in the region since the 15th century, but it was not until the 19th century that the French made colonial claims. The territory later became part of French West Africa and gained independence in 1960. The country’s government for the next 30 years was in the hands of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, an eccentric but successful politician who had close ties with the West, particularly France and South Africa. entertained. During his tenure, Côte d’Ivoire was the most prosperous and stable country in all of West Africa. Houphouët-Boigny’s power crumbled during the economic crisis of the 1980s, which saw commodity prices for cocoa and coffee, the country’s main exports, plummet. Since Houphouët-Boigny’s death in 1993, politicians have come to power who were unable to prevent Côte d’Ivoire’s division into a rebel-controlled north and a government-led south, and who, through their changed policies, fueled nationalism and xenophobia in particular. Today, Côte d’Ivoire is a divided country plagued by political unrest and poverty.

Getting there

Arriving by plane

Air France (AF) via Paris, Tunisair (TU) via Tunis, Royal Air Maroc (AT) via Casablanca and Tap Air Portugal (TP) via Lisbon offer flights to Abidjan from Frankfurt/M., Vienna and Zurich. In cooperation with Brussels Airlines (SN), Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M., Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna and Swiss (LX) from Zurich fly to Abidjan.

Flight times

Frankfurt/M. – Abidjan: 8 hrs 40 mins; Vienna – Abidjan: 10 hrs 15 mins; Zurich – Abidjan: 9 hours 55 minutes (each with intermediate stops).

Departure fee

The airport in Abidjan charges around €6 (XOF 4,000) to destinations within Africa and around €8 (XOF 5,000) to destinations in other countries.

Arrival by car

Car: There are connecting roads of different standards to Kumasi (Ghana) as well as Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia and Mali. The borders are closed at night. Long-distance buses run daily between Abidjan and Accra (Ghana) (journey time: approx. 10 hours), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) (journey time: approx. 15 hours) and Bamako (Mali) (journey time: approx. 19 hours). So-called bush taxis are also available. Tolls: Use of the Henri Konan Bédié Bridge in Abidjan is subject to a toll; the road network can be used free of charge. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license must be carried.

Arrival by train

Trains run three times a week between Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Abidjan (journey time: 32-36 hours).

Arrival by ship

The main port is Abidjan. Another port is in San Pedro.

Cruise ships

The Regent Seven Seas shipping company also docks in Abidjan on its cruises departing from Lisbon (Portugal).

Transportation

Traveling by plane

The national airline Air Côte d’Ivoire (HF) connects Abidjan with all major cities in the country.

Departure fee

Airport taxes are around €1 for domestic flights (XOF 500 from Abidjan Airport, XOF 600 from all other airports in the country.

Traveling by car/bus

By West African standards, Côte d’Ivoire has a well-developed road network totaling around 85,000 km in length. Gas stations: Gas stations can be found at regular intervals, except in the north. Tolls: Use of the Henri Konan Bédié Bridge in Abidjan is subject to a toll; the road network can be used free of charge.

Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic

Right

Condition of the roads

Approximately 6,500 km of the road network is paved; but unpaved roads are also passable. Even during the rainy season, only a few piste roads are impassable.

Road classification

The road network includes around 150 km of motorway and well-developed main roads, marked with an A and a number, and smaller country roads, marked with a B and a number.

Car rental

Rental cars are available in Abidjan, at the international airport and in the larger cities. The minimum age for drivers is 25 years for most car rental companies, younger drivers (from 21 years) often pay a young driver fee.

Taxi

Taxis are available in the larger cities and are usually metered. If this is not the case, a price should be agreed in advance.

Coach

Private minibuses and more comfortable long-distance buses run between all major towns. Public buses are often overcrowded and sometimes in poor technical condition. The bus company UTB – Union de Transports de Bouake offers regular bus trips to many interesting destinations in the country.

Regulations

Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰. Speed ​​limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – extra-urban: 80 km/h.

Roadside Assistance

The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with a rental car, the car rental company should always be contacted first.

Documentation

In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license must be carried. When entering the country with your own vehicle, a Carnet de Passage is also required.

Traveling in the city

SOTRA operates the public transport (buses and ferries) in Abidjan. Taxis are also a popular means of transportation in the city.

Locally on the way by train

The International Company for African Rail Transport, Sitarail, operates the country’s rail transport. The Abidjan-Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) train service is one of the most efficient in Africa, connecting Abidjan daily with Bouaké (journey time: 6 hours) and Ferkessédougou.

How to get to Ivory Coast