Overview
Yemen is a country in Asia according to dentistrymyth. Yemen has firmly established itself as a travel destination, offering tourists stunning landscapes and spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture. The natural scenery of Yemen is extremely diverse and ranges from imposing mountains and green valleys with orchards to semi-desert plains and wide sandy beaches. The cities reveal souks, spice markets, mosques and historic city walls. The Romans called Yemen Arabia Felix (Happy Arabia) because it differs from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, which is largely barren desert, with its mountains and fertile soil. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Yemen was shaped by Islam from the 7th century. There are numerous important archaeological excavation sites spread across Yemen. For adventure vacationers, hiking and camping are of interest on the unique island of Socotra, which is home to more than 270 species of animals and plants.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
There are no direct flights to Yemen from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Frankfurt/M. and Vienna connect Ethiopian Airlines (ET) via Addis Ababa and Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul with Djibouti; from there the Yemeni airline Felix Airways (FO) flies to Aden; however, most flights are currently being cancelled. Feeder flights from Zurich to Frankfurt/M. are offered by Swiss (LX).
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Sana’a: 13 hrs 15 mins; Vienna – Sana’a: 14 hours 40 minutes; Zurich – Sana’a: 15 hrs 30 mins (each with at least 2 stopovers).
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
The border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen is effectively closed to private individuals. Entry from Oman is possible by land.
Arrival by train
There is no cross-border rail traffic from neighboring countries.
Arrival by ship
The major international ports are Aden, Hodeida, Mocha, Mukalla, and Al Khawkha.
Transportation
warning
You are urgently warned against traveling to Yemen! Bombings, rocket attacks and hostilities on the ground occur daily in large parts of the country.
Traveling by plane
The national airline Felix Airways (FO) offers domestic flights on its website, but most of them are currently being cancelled.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network has a length of 71,500 km. Connecting roads exist between Sana’a and other larger places in the country, such as Aden, al-Hudaida, Taiz and al-Mukalla; a road runs along the coast.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Almost 10,000 km of the entire road network is asphalted. However, due to the ongoing unrest in the country, the roads were severely damaged. Large parts of the road network consist of desert tracks that can only be driven on with all-wheel drive. Driving off the paved roads can be life-threatening because of possible minefields. Interurban roads, motorways and border crossings are temporarily closed.
Car rental
Rental car companies are represented in the cities. The minimum age for drivers is 25 years.
Taxi
Taxis, recognizable by their yellow number plates, are available in the cities; the fare should be agreed in advance for longer journeys. Shared taxis (white with horizontal stripes) are the cheapest means of transport for longer distances; However, they only start driving when all the seats are occupied.
Coach
Buses connect the larger cities. In addition, minivans operate on set routes.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Locally on the way by train
There is no rail transport in Yemen.
Traveling by ship
Details of ferries between Yemeni ports can be obtained from the local port authorities. You are expressly warned against self-organized boat trips in front of and in the Yemeni coastal waters.
