Travelling

flag Benin Benin: Travelling

In this page: Entry Requirements | Organising Your Trip | Living Conditions | Paying | Speaking | Useful Resources

 

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service
Benin e-Visa
Diplomatic Missions of Benin
For Further Information
 
Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.
 

Return to top

Organising Your Trip


Transportation From Airport to City Centre:


Airport

Distance

Taxi

Bus

Train

Car Rental
Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO) 4 km/2.5 miles 10 min XOF 2,500-5,000 Hotel shuttles are available N/A Available

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions
There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Benin (except for vaccine against yellow fever which is required for any travellers aged one year or more and for travellers coming from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission). Nevertheless, WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering the country: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Cholera and Rabies. Vaccination against Measles is also required.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions
CDC - Health Information for Travellers to Benin
For Further Information on Safety Conditions
U.S. Department of State - Benin Travel Information
Government of Canada - Benin Travel Advice
 

Emergency Numbers

Police 117
Ambulance 112
Fire 118
 

Return to top

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference
It is %T:%M %A In Porto Novo (GMT+1)
Summer Time Period
There are no daylight saving time clock changes in Benin
 

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate
Benin is located in the Gulf of Guinea and has a tropical climate, with two rainy and two dry seasons: the main rainy season goes from April to late July, with a less intense rainy period from late September to November; whereas the main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September.
A dry wind from the Sahara (known as “harmattan”) blows from December to March in the north. In Cotonou, the average maximum temperature is 31 °C, the minimum is 24 °C.
For further information
National Meteorological or Hydrometeorological Service (METEO BENIN)
 

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

 

Return to top

Paying

Domestic Currency
CFA Franc BCEAO
ISO Code
XOF
Possible Means of Payment
Only some upmarket hotels take credit cards, as cash is the general payment method.
International Traveller's Cheques are accepted in major cities if denominated in EUR or GBP.

Return to top

Speaking

Official Language
French
Other Languages Spoken
A total of 55 languages are spoken in Benin, of which 50 are indigenous. Fon and Yoruba are spoken in South of Benin, with six major tribal languages being spoken in the North (including Bariba and Fulfulde).
Business Language
French and English

Return to top

Useful Resources

To Find a Job
Careers in Africa
Career Jet Benin

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: February 2026