The main airline is Air Burkina (website: www.air-burkina.com).

Cotonou Cadjehoun (COO) is 5km (3 miles) west of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis and limousines are available to the city (travel time – 15 to 20 minutes). Facilities: Duty free shop, restaurant, bar, post office, business centre, 24-hour medical facilities, bank and car hire.

None.

Main port: Porto Novo. Several shipping lines run regular cargo services from Marseille to Cotonou. Local shipping from Lagos arrives in Porto Novo.

The railway line from Parakou (via Gaya) to Niamey in Niger, currently under construction, will provide the first rail link into Niger.

There are at least three good main roads: one connecting Cotonou with Niamey in Niger; another connecting Lagos with Porto Novo, Cotonou, Lomé and Accra; and a third connecting Parakou with Kara in Togo. Buses and taxis are available.

Government aeroplanes run services between Cotonou, Parakou, Natitingou, Djougou and Kandi. It is also possible to charter two-seater aeroplanes.

Benin has about 600km (400 miles) of rail track. Trains run from Cotonou to Pobé, Ouidah and Parakou. Food is available on some services. Upholstered seats are available only in first-class cars and these exist only on the route to Parakou. Children aged under four travel free and children aged four to nine pay half fare. Approximate travel times from Cotonou to Parakou is 12 to 14 hours, to Segboroué is two hours 30 minutes and to Pobé is four hours.

There is no totally reliable public transportation in Cotonou. The roads are, however, in reasonably good condition (although some are poorly lit) and many of those which run from Cotonou to Dassa, and Parakou to Malanville, are paved. There are also continual efforts to improve the roads. A new carriageway from the new bridge in Cotonou to the start of the Lome road has recently been finished. Tracks are passable during the dry season but often impassable during the rainy season. Traffic drives on the right. Minibus and bush taxi services run along major road routes. Minibuses are cheaper but slower. Car hire: A number of local firms are available in Cotonou. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Taxis are widely available in the main towns. Taxi fares should be agreed in advance.