Most international flights are operated by Air Afrique (RK). Other airlines serving Niger include Air Algerie, Air France, Royal Air Maroc and Sudan Airways. (There are no direct flights to Niger from the UK.)

From London to Niamey is six hours, excluding stopover time in Paris.

Niamey (NIM) is 12km (7.5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to the city. Hotels have their own vehicles and provide free transport for their clients between the hotel and the airport. Facilities: Bars, shops, post office, currency exchange and car hire.

None.

There are main roads from Kano (Nigeria) to Zinder, and from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The principal trans-Sahara desert track runs from Algiers to Asamakka and Arlit, with a paved road to Agadez. Desert driving can be difficult, marker beacons may not always be visible, and petrol is not always available. Bus: Services operate from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.

It is essential that all visitors report to the police station in any town where they are making an overnight stop; see the Passport/Visa section.

Air Niger runs services from Niamey to Agadez, Arlit, Maradi and Zinder. Charter flights can be arranged; contact Air Niger or Transniger in Niamey.

Certain roads are permanently closed to tourists without special authorisation. Traffic drives on the right. There are an estimated 13,808km (8580 miles) of classified roads, 3256km (2020 miles) of which are main roads. Principal internal roads are from Niamey to Zinder, Tahoua, Arlit and Gaya. Many tracks are impassable during heavy rain. The best season for road travel is from December to March. Petrol stations are infrequent and garages are extremely expensive. It is prohibited to travel by a different route than the one entered in the passport by the police at the previous town. It is necessary to pay a toll on main routes. Bus: There are reasonable services between the main centres, even though many roads have been sealed. Coach services operate from Niamey to Agadez, N’guemi, Tera and Zinder. Elsewhere, it is common practice to pay for rides in cross-country lorries; note that this can be an extremely slow and uncomfortable means of transport and that extra payment is expected of those who wish to ride in the cab. Car hire: Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, the latter being compulsory outside the capital. Note: Much of the country requires 4-wheel-drive vehicles, guides and full equipment. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a Carnet de Passage are required. Minimum age is 23. Two photos are required.

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Niamey to other major cities and towns in Niger.

	Air	Road
Zinder	0.45	12.00
Maradi	-	9.00
Tahoua	-	7.00
Dosso	-	1.00
Tillabéri	-	4.50
Agadez	-	17.00