Ouagadougou Centre, Burkina Faso Travel Guide
Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) serves as the only major international airport for the capital, located close to the city center. Several international and regional airlines operate flights to OUA, including Air Burkina (the national carrier), Air France, ASKY Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and The National flag carrier airline of turkey.
Flight prices can increase during the dry season (From november To february), especially around major festivals like FESPACO or during holiday periods. You might find lower prices during the hot dry season (Between march And may) and the peak wet season (July to September).
Free Wi-Fi might be available in limited areas; do not rely on it for consistent connectivity.
Use Dollar Flight Club for deal alerts and Skyscanner for comparisons.
Small duty-free, cafes, currency exchange, ATMs (sometimes unreliable), car rental desks.
Arrange airport transfers in advance with your hotel or a trusted local operator for a smooth arrival.
Always bargain the taxi fare before you start your journey to avoid surprises.
Have small denominations of XOF available for taxi payments.
Burkina Faso shares land borders with Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Border crossings, especially with Mali and Niger, are frequently subject to security incidents. Foreign governments strongly advise against land travel to or from these countries. Borders with Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast are generally more stable, but the security situation can change rapidly. Always consult current travel advisories.
An extensive network of private bus companies provides inter-city travel within Burkina Faso and to neighboring countries (where safe). Major companies include STAF, Rakieta, TSR, ABC. Buses connect Ouagadougou to other major Burkinabe cities like Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, and Fada N'Gourma. International routes exist to Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
Self-driving is generally not recommended for tourists in Burkina Faso. Poor road conditions, erratic local driving habits, significant security risks, and a lack of clear signage make self-driving challenging and dangerous. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with a valid national driver's license. Rental vehicles may not always be well-maintained.
While self-driving is not recommended, if you need to rent a vehicle with a driver, resources like DiscoverCars.com can help facilitate the rental. This approach minimizes risks associated with unfamiliar roads and local driving patterns.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. This means there are no direct sea or river arrivals for international travel to Ouagadougou or any other part of the nation. Every international travel happens via air or land border crossings.
For travelers coming from countries with access to the sea, the journey to Ouagadougou will still involve either flying to Ouagadougou International Airport or crossing a land border after arriving in a coastal neighboring country. This reinforces the main travel modes as air and land. Always check current travel advisories for land routes.
Burkina Faso is entirely landlocked, without coastal access.
Flying to OUA is the main means of international arrival.
Land borders exist but require extreme caution due to security concerns.
Departing from the airport taxes are typically included in the airline ticket price for international flights. Confirm with your airline when you reserve. Arrive at Ouagadougou International Airport at least 2-3 hours before your scheduled international flight. Expect security checks and potential delays. Immigration and customs procedures for leaving are generally straightforward.
Ouagadougou International Airport provides limited facilities for departing travelers. You will find limited duty-free shops, cafes, and seating areas. Currency exchange and ATMs might be available, but exchange rates is sometimes less favorable than in the city. Plan to have sufficient local currency before arriving at the airport if you need to make purchases.
Small selection for last-minute purchases.
Limited options for food and drink.
Available, but rates may be less favorable.
Reconfirm your flight status 24-48 hours before departure to account for any changes.
