Getting Around Ivory Coast 2026

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is a West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, known for the skyscraper skyline of Abidjan, the vast man-made basilica of Yamoussoukro, the colonial-era beach town of Grand-Bassam, and a coastline of lagoons and palm-lined beaches stretching from Ghana to Liberia. It is the world's largest cocoa producer and West Africa's economic engine, blending a modern commercial capital with rainforest national parks, Sahelian towns in the north, and dozens of distinct ethnic cultures.

Public

SOTRA runs Abidjan's official buses and lagoon ferries (bateau-bus), supplemented everywhere by informal gbaka minibuses and wôrô-wôrô shared taxis; outside Abidjan, public transport is limited to intercity coaches

Taxi

Orange metered 'taxi compteur' cabs operate in Abidjan though drivers often prefer to negotiate a flat fare rather than run the meter; ride-hailing apps such as Yango give a fixed, agreed price and are generally the easiest option for visitors

Rental

Self-drive rental is possible in Abidjan but most visitors hire a car with a driver, since road signage is sparse, potholes and checkpoints are common outside the city, and night driving on intercity roads is discouraged

Walking

Abidjan is spread across several communes divided by the Ébrié Lagoon, so walking only works within a single neighborhood such as Plateau or Cocody; distances between districts require a taxi, bus, or ferry