The national airline is Cameroon Airlines (UY). The first direct commercial flight from the UK to Douala for more than five years was recently launched: Arkh-View African Airlines (website: www.avairlines.com).

From Douala to Paris is six hours 40 minutes; from Yaounde to Paris is eight hours 35 minutes; from Douala to London is nine hours 15 minutes.

Aeroports de Cameroon SA (ADC) oversees the seven airports, including Douala International, Garoua International and Yaoude Nsimalen International.
Douala (DLA) is situated 10km (6 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis to the city are available at a cost of approximately XAF3000. Facilities: Duty free shop, bar, post office, bank, shops and buffet/restaurant.
Yaounde Nsimalen International (NSI) airport is situated 25km (15.5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis to the city are available at a cost of approximately XAF3000 (travel time – 20 minutes).

Around US$15.

Main ports: Cargo boats from Douala to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) sometimes accept passengers. Speedboats and cargo boats ply the coastal route between Idendao (northern Cameroon) and Oron (Nigeria). However, these services are not regulated.

There are ferry services across the Ntem River, on the border with Gabon. Pirogues also operate across this river to Equatorial Guinea.

There is a rail route running from Douala to Nkongsamba, with a branch line leading off from Mbanga to Kumba. The Trans-Cameroon railway runs from Douala to Ngaoudere, with a branch line from Ngoumen to Mbalmayo. There are plans to extend the rail network from Mbalmayo to Bangui in the Central African Republic.

There are road connections to Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. Travel on these routes is rough, and should not be attempted in the rainy season. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Drivers should avoid travelling at night. Problems might be experienced at the borders with Gabon and the Central African Republic. Armed robberies have been reported in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the north and the far north (bordering Chad). Gendarmerie detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and Chad. The Trans-Africa Highway from Kenya to Nigeria is still under construction; the border area with Nigeria, neighbouring the Bakassi peninsula, should be avoided. The border with the Republic of Congo has been closed. Bus: Minibuses and bush taxis run from Yaoundé and Douala to all neighbouring countries (except where borders are closed). It may be necessary to change at the border.

Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and bush-taxis, and visitors to Cameroon who rely on its transport are urged to remain vigilant.

This is the most efficient means of national transport. There are daily flights between Douala and Yaoundé; less regular flights to other interior towns, served by Unitair.

XAF500.

Cameroon Railways (CAMRAIL) is the national service provider. Services are good, if relatively slow, and it is much quicker to go by train than by bus. There are daily services from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré on the ‘Gazelle du Nord’, that runs from Douala to Ngaoundéré via Yaoundé and Belabo. Daily trains also run from Yaoundé to Douala, with onward connections to Nkongsamba. Couchettes are available, as are first- and second-class seats. Trains usually have a restaurant car. Tickets must be booked on the day of travel.

There are paved roads from Douala to Yaoundé, Limbé, Buéa, Bafoussam and Bamenda and between main centres. Other roads are generally poorly maintained and become almost impassable during the rainy season. Many vehicles are poorly lit and badly driven. Traffic drives on the right. Night driving is not recommended. Car hijackings and violent muggings are increasingly common, particularly in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the North and the far North, so sensible precautions should be taken. Driving on the Yaoundé/Douala trunk road should be avoided, since accidents are common there. Roadside assistance is non-existent. Travellers should consult official government advice services for further information about security while driving. Bus: Modern coach services are available between Yaoundé and Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda, Foumban and Dschanga. Bus services also exist between other main centres and more rural areas but tend to be unreliable and are often suspended during the rainy season. Bus services also have a reputation for being dangerous, as road safety is not a priority for Cameroon drivers and accidents are common. Car hire: This is limited and expensive and is available in Douala, Yaoundé and Limbé, with or without a driver. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not a legal requirement but recommended, especially for those hiring a car. By law, a driving licence must be carried when driving; a Cameroonian licence can be obtained within 24 hours for a small fee.

Taxis and share-taxis are available at reasonable fixed rates (none are metered). A 10 per cent tip is optional. City taxis do not generally comply with basic security norms and seatbelts are often absent. Violent assaults on taxi passengers are not uncommon, so the choice of taxi must be considered carefully. However, they are cheap and fast.

The following gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Yaoundé.

	Air	Road	Rail
Douala	0.30	3.00	4.00
Garoua	2.30	18.00	-
Kribi	0.45	-	-
Maroua	3.45	24.00	-
Ngaoundéré	2.40	12.00	10.00