The national airline is Air Burkina (2J) (website: www.air-burkina.com).

None.

Ouagadougou (OUA) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. To /from the airport: Taxi and bus services are available to the city. Facilities: Banks, post office, shops, restaurants and car hire.

Borgo, 16km (10 miles) from Bobo Dioulasso, handles mainly domestic flights (see Getting Around).

The only route is the international line from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, running through to Ouagadougou. However, passenger services are currently suspended.

Routes are from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo, although these are often barely adequate. Regular bus services run during the dry season, from Bobo to Bamako in Mali, and from Ouagadougou to Niamey in Niger and to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The road from Ghana is being improved. Bush taxis also serve most routes.

Borgo, 16km (10 miles) from Bobo Dioulasso, is the principal domestic airport. Air Burkina (website: www.air-burkina.com) runs flights between Bobo Dioulasso and Ouagadougou. Air taxis are available.

There is a limited daily service from Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Two classes are available, but can become overcrowded.

Traffic drives on the right. The majority of roads are unpaved. In general, roads are impassable during the rainy season (July to October). It is inadvisable to drive at night, as there are few street lights and some vehicles do not have headlights.

Bus: Buses and vans are called cars in Burkina Faso. Regular bus services are operated in the dry season to all major towns and it is necessary to book at least 48 hours in advance. These buses are also cheap and plentiful.

Taxi: Shared taxis are available in major centres; fares are negotiable.

Car hire: Available from hotels in Ouagadougou. Car hire is still a recent phenomenon in Burkina Faso, and vehicles may be in poor condition. Visitors are therefore advised to lease cars for a day or two before committing themselves to a longer contract. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available.

Documentation: A temporary licence to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national driving licence, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.