Djibouti Airport to Downtown: Top Transport Options

Djibouti City has bustling streets and ornate, Arabic buildings. It feels like a world away from the picturesque landscapes that surround it and is home to many of the country’s best hotels.

To get from Djibouti Airport to downtown, you have two options: taxi or private transfer. Local taxis are readily available from the airport 24/7. It should take between 20-25 minutes to do the 7 km journey.

Unfortunately, there are no public buses available from Djibouti Airport. While there are buses available from Djibouti City, these buses don’t go to and from the airport. Instead, they service other areas of the country and don’t have set timetables. Buses are typically privately owned minibuses that depart from the Djibouti bus and coach station.

If you want to make the journey easier, why not consider booking an affordable, comfortable private transfer with Welcome Pickups? We offer on-time meet and greet services from Djibouti Airport at unbeatable prices.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Djibouti 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	€9.30	25min	24/7

How to travel from Djibouti Airport to downtown by taxi

A taxi from Djibouti Airport to downtown should only take 25 minutes depending on your final destination. Local taxis are available any time from outside of the airport and they are pretty reasonably priced!

Taxi fare from Djibouti Airport to Djibouti city centre

Unfortunately, local taxis do not rely on fixed-rate fares or taximeters. The local custom is to negotiate your taxi fare with the driver before you get into the cab. So the taxi fare from Djibouti Airport to the city varies widely.

On average, the journey costs around €9.30 (DJF 1,800). This increases by €1-2 (DJF 190-380) after 22:00. Again, this depends on your haggling skills. To negotiate a good rate for your taxi ride, clearly inform the driver of your final destination or have it written down for ease of communication if you don’t speak French or Arabic.

If you would rather not negotiate your taxi fares, we suggest booking a private transfer in advance. That way, you’ll have a reasonable set price agreed and paid before you travel and a reliable English-speaking driver who can share their local knowledge with you.

Cost

€9.30 (DJF 1,800)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Prices vary widely depending on your driver.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Djibouti Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

You can get a taxi from outside of Djibouti Airport. The airport is small so the taxi stand is easy to find. Taxis are green and white. If the airport is busy, there could be a 10-20 minute wait for a cab but this is relatively rare.

Convenience

The journey from Djibouti Airport to the city is highly convenient and efficient by taxi. Furthermore, as there are no public transport options from the airport to downtown, you’re limited to taxis and private transfers. Luckily, both are comfortable and easy to navigate. Most taxis carry up to 4 people and their luggage with ease. If you have a larger group, we suggest booking a private transfer instead to avoid unnecessary delays.

Editor’s Note

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are not common in Djibouti. If you need an accessible vehicle, we recommend booking with a specialised provider in advance, so you can relax knowing your needs will be catered for.

Useful Tips

It’s customary to tip your taxi driver about 10-20% of your total fare.

You will need to pay for your taxi in cash in Djiboutian Francs.

If you find a local taxi driver you like, keep their number so you can call them again.

Unless you pre-book with Welcome, English-speaking drivers can be difficult to find because the official local languages are Arabic and French.

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

How do I get from Djibouti Airport to downtown?

To travel from Djibouti Airport to Djibouti City, you can only take a taxi or private transfer. There are no public buses or trains to downtown. You can only find public transport connecting Djibouti city to other cities. Fortunately, the taxi journey is very affordable and just 25 minutes long.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Djibouti Airport to downtown?

Taxis in Djibouti do not operate with fixed fares or taximeters. You will need to speak to the driver before your journey and negotiate a rate to your final destination. This means that a taxi from Djibouti Airport to downtown can vary in cost depending on your driver and your haggling skills.

On average, you can expect to pay €9.30 (DJF 1,800) for the journey. If you pay more than this, that’s considered a bad deal. Alternatively, you can always book a private transfer in advance and relax knowing you have an English-speaking driver and a set price guaranteed for your personalised trip.

What is the distance from Djibouti Airport to downtown Djibouti?

The distance from Djibouti Airport to downtown Djibouti is about 7 km. It shouldn’t take longer than 25 minutes by taxi.

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How to travel from Djibouti Airport to downtown by taxi