Getting Around Burkina Faso
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use shared taxis and minibuses for Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Rural: Rent a 4x4 for remote regions due to poor roads. Intercity: Bush taxis and buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from Ouagadougou to your destination.
Train Travel
Sitarail Regional Rail
Limited passenger services on the Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso line, connecting to Côte d'Ivoire border.
Cost: Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso 5,000-10,000 CFA, journeys 6-8 hours with basic comfort.
Tickets: Buy at stations or through agents, cash only, services infrequent (2-3 per week).
Peak Times: Avoid market days for crowds, book ahead for seats during festivals.
Rail Passes
No national passes available; opt for multi-journey tickets for repeated regional travel at 10-20% discount.
Best For: Cross-border trips to Abidjan, savings for 2+ long journeys.
Where to Buy: Major stations in Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso, or via Sitarail offices.
Cross-Border Options
Trains connect to Ouagadougou International via Côte d'Ivoire for international links to Europe and Africa.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead, discounts for advance purchase up to 15%.
Main Stations: Ouagadougou Central for departures, with connections to border points.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Recommended for rural exploration with 4x4 vehicles. Compare rental prices from 20,000-40,000 CFA/day at Ouagadougou Airport and cities.
Requirements: International license, passport, deposit, minimum age 21 with experience.
Insurance: Full coverage essential for off-road, includes liability for accidents.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 110 km/h paved highways.
Tolls: Minimal on major routes like N1, pay cash at checkpoints (500-2,000 CFA).
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and livestock, roundabouts common in cities.
Parking: Free in rural areas, guarded lots in cities 1,000-3,000 CFA/day.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available in towns at 700-800 CFA/liter for petrol, 650-750 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation due to spotty signal.
Traffic: Heavy in Ouagadougou markets, avoid night driving on unpaved roads.
Urban Transport
Minibuses & Shared Taxis
SOTRACO and private operators run green minibuses, single ride 200-500 CFA, day pass unavailable.
Validation: Pay driver upon boarding, negotiate for longer trips, overcrowding common.
Apps: Limited; use local apps like Yango for ride-hailing in Ouagadougou.
Moto-Taxis & Cycles
Moto-Taxis
Popular for quick urban trips, 300-1,000 CFA per ride with helmets often provided.
Routes: Flexible paths through traffic, ideal for short distances in cities.
Safety: Bargain fares, wear protective gear, avoid during rain.
Buses & Local Services
STB and regional buses connect suburbs, fares 150-400 CFA, buy tickets at stops.
Tickets: Cash from conductors, services run dawn to dusk.
Rural Links: Bush taxis to villages, 1,000-5,000 CFA for inter-town routes.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near central markets in cities for easy access, outskirts for quieter rural vibes.
- Booking Timing: Book 1-2 months ahead for dry season (Nov-May) and events like SIAO festival.
- Cancellation: Opt for flexible policies due to weather and security changes.
- Amenities: Prioritize AC, mosquito nets, and backup power for outages.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for safety and reliability updates.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G in cities like Ouagadougou, 3G/2G in rural areas with some blackspots.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from 2,000 CFA for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, covers major networks.
Local SIM Cards
Orange, Telecel, and Onatel offer prepaid SIMs from 1,000-5,000 CFA with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, markets, or provider shops with ID required.
Data Plans: 2GB for 3,000 CFA, 5GB for 7,000 CFA, unlimited for 15,000 CFA/month.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels and cafes, limited in public spaces outside cities.
Public Hotspots: Airports and major markets offer paid or free access.
Speed: 5-50 Mbps in urban zones, suitable for messaging and browsing.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC+0, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Ouagadougou Airport 5km from center, taxi 2,000-5,000 CFA (10 min), or book private transfer for 10,000-20,000 CFA.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus stations (1,000-2,000 CFA/day) and hotels in major towns.
- Accessibility: Limited ramps and services, uneven roads challenge wheelchair users.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses with carrier (extra fee), confirm with operators.
- Bike Transport: Motorbikes on roofs of bush taxis for 1,000 CFA, personal bikes negotiable.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) is the main hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Ouagadougou (OUA): Primary international gateway, 5km from city with taxi access.
Bobo-Dioulasso (BOY): Domestic hub 350km west, bus connections to Ouagadougou 10,000 CFA (6 hours).
Ouahigouya (XBG): Small northern airport for regional flights, limited services.
Booking Tips
Book 1-2 months in advance for dry season (Nov-May) to save 20-40% on fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tue-Thu) often cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into Accra or Abidjan and bus/train to Burkina for savings.
Budget Airlines
Air Burkina, ASKY, and Ceiba serve regional routes from OUA.
Important: Include baggage and ground transport in cost comparisons.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior, airport fees apply for walk-ins.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in cities, fees 500-1,000 CFA, use bank machines to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: Visa accepted in hotels, cash preferred elsewhere; no Amex widely.
- Contactless Payment: Emerging in urban spots, mobile money like Orange Money common.
- Cash: Essential for transport and markets, carry 10,000-50,000 CFA in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary, small gratuities (500 CFA) for exceptional service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid informal exchangers.