Readily available taxis in Djibouti
Djibouti is a magical country with a surprising amount of things to explore, considering its modest size. There are mountains to climb, salt lakes to cross and ornate buildings to see. Booking a taxi in Djibouti is the easiest and fastest way of getting around, smoothly transporting from point A to B.
Taxis in Djibouti are available 24/7 and can be hailed on the street or called by phone. Alternatively, private transfers offer you a personalised, safe experience to wherever your Djiboutian adventure takes you.
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Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY CENTRE TO HERON | 2.60 € | 3.60 € | 10 MIN |
| CITY CENTRE TO HARAMOUSS | 5.20 € | 6.20 € | 17 MIN |
| AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE | 9.30 € | 10.30 € | 25 MIN |
Djibouti taxi prices
Taxis in Djibouti are extremely affordable because of the local currency. Djiboutian Francs equal to roughly 0.0050 euros. Therefore, you can travel quite cheaply across Djibouti city and beyond.
The state-run taxis are called green taxis. They do not have set fares or traditional taximeters. Instead, it’s common practice to negotiate your taxi fare with the driver before you get into the taxi. This can be a little intimidating for tourists. Especially if you’re not accustomed to the average city rates.
Generally, the further the distance, the higher the cost. For example, the journey from Djibouti Airport to the city centre will cost you around €9.30 (DJF 1,800). This is a 7 km journey and shouldn’t take longer than 25 minutes. On the other hand, the 10-minute journey from Djibouti city to Heron Tower will cost around €2.60 (DJF 500).
Officially, there is no extra charge for luggage but there is a higher cost for nighttime travel. Again, taxi fares are negotiated so the exact rate increase for nighttime rides is at your driver’s discretion. As a rough guide, you can expect a taxi after 22:00 to cost an extra €1-2 (DJF 190-380), but if you want to relax knowing you have set fares for all your travels agreed in advance, you can pre-book any private transfers with a company like Welcome.
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How to get a taxi in Djibouti
If you’re looking for a taxi in Djibouti, you won’t have to look too far. Especially around tourist areas like Heron Tower, or transport hubs like the airport or coach station.
The taxis have a distinctive green look. Drivers tend to hang around outside the vehicles so you can negotiate before you get into the cab. Alternatively, you can book a taxi in advance using one of the following numbers:
Taxi Djibouti: +253 778 585 31
Djibouti Green Taxi: +253 772 592 91
Most tourist boards don’t recommend using local taxis because they can be unsafe and overcharging is common. It’s suggested that tourists arrange private transfers for their travels around the city and country to avoid any issues.
Why book a private Djibouti taxi transfer in advance?
If you’re not accustomed to haggling your taxi fares and don’t speak the local languages, getting a taxi in Djibouti can be stressful. That’s why we recommend booking a private transfer in advance. At Welcome Pickups, we provide clean and comfortable vehicles and guaranteed on-time pickups from wherever you are – all at reasonable fixed rates and with no haggling required, for safe and trustworthy door-to-door transportation.
Djibouti taxi tips
- The official languages in Djibouti are French and Arabic. It can be challenging to find English-speaking taxi drivers.
- If you like your driver, you can negotiate an amount for all of your transport needs while you are in Djibouti. You’ll need to share your itinerary to get a quote.
- Djibouti taxis are cash only.
Wheelchair-accessibility taxis in Djibouti
Djibouti as a country is not known for being very accessibility-conscious. Most taxis in Djibouti are standard four-seaters that are not equipped for wheelchairs. However, some tour companies operate minivans which are easier to navigate for wheelchair users. If you’re in need of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, we recommend booking your transfer in advance with a local tour operator or travel agency to ensure appropriate vehicle availability, comfort and safety on your preferred dates.
Djibouti taxi safety and complaints
Taxis are the safest way of getting around Djibouti compared to the other local transport options. That said, there have been reports of unlicensed drivers, overcharging and road safety concerns. If you have any issues with your taxi driver in Djibouti, you can call 18 to reach the local police or stop by your nearest police department. We also suggest contacting your embassy for further assistance.