Yaoundé Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Land

Bus

There are buses between Yaoundé and all major cities in Cameroon. Buses leave from their companies’ offices, spread out on the outskirts of town. For Douala (CFA3800, three hours), Central Voyages (in Mvog Mbi) and Guaranti Express (in Quartier Nsam) are recommended. Guaranti Express is also recommended for Limbe (CFA5000, five hours), Bamenda (CFA5000, six hours), Bafoussam (CFA2500, three hours) and Kumba (CFA4000, four hours).

Otherwise, all agency and nonagency buses for Kribi, Bertoua, Batouri Ebolowa, Limbe and Buea depart from Blvd de l’Ocam, about 3km south of Place Ahmadou Ahidjo (direct taxi drivers to Agences de Mvan).

Transport to Bafoussam, Bamenda and points north departs from Gare Routière d’Etoudi, 5km north of Centre Ville.

Train

The most popular and convenient way to travel north from Yaoundé is by train, which runs all the way to N’Gaoundéré. Trains depart daily at 6pm, taking around 18 hours. Delays on the line are not uncommon.

There’s a choice of comfortable 1st-class couchettes (sleeping compartments) for CFA25, 000/28, 000 per person in a four-/two-bed cabin; 1st-class airline-style seats (CFA17, 000); and crowded 2nd-class benches (CFA10, 000). The couchettes are the only recommendable option, in part because you’ll be in an enclosed cabin. Couchettes can be reserved 24 hours in advance, but are paid for on the day of travel. Seats in 1st and 2nd class are in open wagons, with no way to secure your bag. Even in couchettes, be alert for thieves.

The train has a restaurant car where you can buy surprisingly good meals (breakfast/dinner CFA1000/2500). If you’re in 1st class, someone will come and take your order and deliver to your couchette. At every station stop, people will offer street food at the windows.

There are also services between Yaoundé, Douala and Kumba, though these are used much less frequently, as buses are cheaper, faster and more convenient.

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Air

Flights from Yaoundé’s Nsimalen airport are available with Cameroon Airlines (223 0304; Ave Monseigneur Vogt) to Douala, Maroua, Garoua, N’Gaoundéré and Bertoua, from around CFA65, 000 one way. Services also connect Yaoundé to Gabon, Nigeria and other regional centres.

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