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Getting from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan City Centre

Up and coming Abidjan, the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire, is located in West Africa and can be easily accessed through Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, commonly referred to as Abidjan Airport. Whether it is your only – or one of many, stops in this cosmopolitan city, there is plenty to keep you busy. Saint Paul’s Cathedral is a must with its overbearing cross and stunning cultural depictions through colourful stained glassed windows, and for the nature lovers, head to Parc National du Banco and wander amongst towering tropical forests. And if you like to keep it low-key, you can easily spend a day simply exploring each of the city’s unique neighbourhoods.

When travelling from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan City Centre, you have two different transfer options; taking an airport taxi or a private transfer, or taking the public bus to Gare Sud bus station in the Plateau neighbourhood. If you choose to take a taxi or book a private transfer, you will arrive safely downtown at your hotel in just 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The public bus provides a much cheaper alternative (at just €0.30 (XOF 200) per person!) but the journey time is twice as long, taking 35 minutes or even longer during peak hour traffic.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Abidjan at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €9.20 15min 24/7
Bus €0.60 35min 05:30–20:20

How to get a taxi from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan city centre

Taking a taxi from Abidjan Airport to the city centre is the quickest and easiest transport option and you will arrive in as little as 15 minutes to your hotel or apartment when traffic conditions are good.

How much is a taxi from Abidjan Airport to the city?

Taxis at Abidjan Airport may charge using a taximeter based on the distance travelled but meters are rarely used and agreeing on a fixed fare rate up-front is much more common.  The cost of a taxi from Abidjan Airport to downtown should set you back €9.20 (XOF 6,000) for up to 4 passengers, when travelling during the day, not including toll charges. For a night trip, you can expect to pay upwards of €12.20 (XOF 8,000) but you generally shouldn’t accept a fare any higher than €15.30 (XOF 10,000). Taxi drivers will only accept cash so be sure to carry local francs on you, preferably in smaller denominations.

If you want to avoid negotiating a reasonable price or worrying about being overcharged, you can book a private transfer in advance, securing a set rate and no hidden costs.

Cost

€9.20

Trip Duration

15 Min.

Your trip may take longer during periods of increased traffic.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Abidjan Airport

Where do I take a taxi from?

Airport taxis from Abidjan Airport are available from the official taxi rank, located to the left as you exit the main terminal.

Convenience

Taking an airport taxi is the quickest and most straightforward transport option that will deliver you directly to the door of your accommodation. Keep in mind, however, that taxi drivers at the airport can be a little pushy upon arrival and may try to take your luggage or push an unreasonable price on you which can be overwhelming.

For a more pleasant experience where an English-speaking driver will greet you upon arrival and escort you to a private vehicle, you can book a pre-paid private transfer in advance.

Editor’s Note

There is an information desk in the Arrivals Hall at the airport that can help you arrange an airport taxi on demand, at a fair price.

Useful Tips

The final price of a taxi can depend on how well you haggle and tourists are known to be overcharged.
Check with your hotel whether they offer a free airport shuttle service from the airport to your accommodation.
Most taxi drivers don't speak English, so make sure that you have your hotel send you the directions in French to show your driver.

How to get the bus from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan city centre

The SOTRA public bus service running between the airport and the city centre is a very affordable transport option, especially if you are travelling on your own. You will need to take the Line 6 service from the airport bus terminal and disembark at Gare Sud bus station in Plateau – the central business district. The journey takes between 35 and 50 minutes, depending on traffic.

How much is the bus from Abidjan Airport to downtown?

The cost of a bus ticket for each person from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan city is €0.30 (XOF 200) and tickets can be purchased from the bus driver using cash. You can withdraw money as needed from one of the ATMs in Arrivals.

Cost

€0.30

Trip Duration

35 Min.

Shuttle buses depart every 20 minutes from the airport terminal bus stop.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The line 6 bus service operates daily between 05:30 and 20:20.

Where do I take the bus from?

The Airport Terminal bus stop is a short walk from either terminal. Simply follow the signs or ask for directions at the information desk upon arrival.

Convenience

The SOTRA shuttle bus from Abidjan Airport to downtown is by far the cheapest transport option and is great for those travelling on a budget. However, given that it isn’t as readily available as a taxi service, takes considerably longer, and can often be hot and crowded, it is not ideal for anyone with time constraints wishing to get to their accommodation quickly.

For a much more direct and comfortable option, we recommend pre-booking a private transfer with a trusted company like Welcome instead.

Editor’s Note

Unless you plan on disembarking at the final stop, practice speaking in French where you need to get off or have your preferred stop written down to show the driver so that they can let you know when your stop is approaching.

Useful Tips

Keep an eye on your belongings at all times when using the bus service.
If possible, have coins or smaller notes on you to pay for your ticket.
Look for the SOTRA logo and signage before boarding the bus.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Abidjan Airport to Abidjan city centre?

When travelling from Abidjan Airport to downtown, there are two main transport options; taxi or private transfer which takes around 15 minutes, and a public bus which takes upwards of 35 minutes. Both options may take longer during rush-hour traffic.

How far is Abidjan city centre from Abidjan Airport?

The city centre is located around 8 km from Abidjan Airport which takes 15 to 30 minutes to cover when travelling by airport taxi or private transfer, depending on traffic conditions.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Abidjan Airport to the city centre?

You can expect to pay around €9.20 (XOF 6,000) for up to 4 passengers when travelling during the day, however, at night the price increases and a trip to downtown Abidjan will cost between €12.20 (XOF 8,000) and €15.30 (XOF 10,000) – please do note that some drivers may ask for more.

For a guaranteed and competitive price with no additional costs, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance with a trusted company such as Welcome.

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