Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

Djibouti-based Daallo Airlines (D3) (website: www.daallo.com) operates flights to Paris and services to Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Somalia.

International Airports

Djibouti (JIB) is 5km (3 miles) south of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available. Facilities: Duty free shops, restaurants, left luggage, tourist information, car hire (Maril), bureau de change and a craft shop.

RAIL

The Djibouti–Ethiopian Railway operates regular trains between Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa with one train daily connecting with Djibouti; in theory, tourists and businesspeople can use this service (for which they should book first-class tickets only), but it is not recommended as trains are old, fairly unreliable and the volatile security situation in Ethiopia is causing considerable risks to all travellers.

ROAD

There are roads from Djibouti to Assab (Eritrea) and going west into Ethiopia via Dikhil. Travellers using them should be aware that road conditions are generally poor (the roads are more often dirt tracks than asphalted) and personal security might be at risk when travelling – particularly to Ethiopia (see Travel – Internal section for information on documentation required). Visitors are also advised to check transit regulations as political conditions in Ethiopia and Eritrea are changeable. Currently, there are no problems with travelling to Eritrea and no formal border posts. Travel to neighbouring Somalia (which has bus links with Djibouti) is not recommended due to the highly unstable political situation.

Travel - Internal

AIR

Private charters may be available.

SEA

Ferry services sail daily from L'Escale (Djibouti) to Tadjoura and Obock (on the northeast coast of the Gulf of Tadjoura). The journey takes 3 hours.

RAIL

The only service is provided by daily train to the border with Ethiopia (see Travel - International section).

ROAD

Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for the interior. There is a new highway from Djibouti to Tadjoura. Traffic drives on the right.

Bus: Buses operate from Djibouti to most towns and villages throughout the country. Buses leave when they are full.

Car hire: Available in Djibouti and at the airport. It is advisable to carry water and petrol on any expedition off main routes.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although not legally required. A temporary licence to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid British or Northern Ireland driving licence. Insurance is not required.

URBAN

A minibus service operates in Djibouti, stopping on demand. A flat-fare system is used. Taxi: These are available in Djibouti and from the airport to the town; also in Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Dorale and Arta. Fares increase by 50 per cent after dark.