How to Get to Calabar. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Major Airports & Flights

Airport & Airlines

Margaret Ekpo International Airport (CBQ), also Calabar Airport, serves as the main air gateway to the city.

Flight Information

Airlines: Major Nigerian domestic airlines include Arik Air, Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines.
Routes: Flights mainly connect Calabar to Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV). Occasional flights from Port Harcourt (PHC).
No direct international flights to Calabar (CBQ). International travelers fly into Lagos or Abuja, then connect.

Airport Services & Transfers

Margaret Ekpo International Airport is relatively small, offering basic facilities. Efficient transfers connect the airport to the city center.

Amenities & Transport

Facilities: Basic check-in, luggage handling, small waiting areas, a few refreshment stalls. No extensive international-standard amenities.
Transfers: Taxis readily available outside terminal; negotiate fare before starting. Ride-sharing apps like Bolt might operate. Hotel shuttles possible (confirm in advance).
Journey Time: Approx. 15-30 minutes to most parts of Calabar city center.

Price Fluctuations

Expect higher prices during major holidays (Christmas, Easter) and the Calabar Carnival (late December). Book flights ahead of time for lower prices and availability. Dollar Flight Club for deal alerts. Skyscanner for comparisons.

Seasonal Availability

Flights are generally available year-round. Peak season travel calls for earlier booking to secure desired dates and routes. Flexibility with dates might result in cheaper fares.

Connecting Flights

International travelers use major Nigerian airports like Lagos (LOS) or Abuja (ABV) as entry points, then transfer to a domestic flight to Calabar. Plan sufficient layover time for connections.

Transfer Options From Airport to City

Taxi Services

Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal.
Negotiate the fare before starting your journey; meters are not common.
Trip to the downtown area takes approximately 15-30 minutes, traffic dependent.
For safety, consider pre-arranging transport through your hotel.

Ride-Sharing & Hotels

Ride-sharing apps like Bolt might operate at the airport, offering transparent pricing.
A few hotels offer pre-arranged pick-up services; confirm with your accommodation in advance.
Contact airport information desk for assistance if needed.
Ensure your phone is charged and has local connectivity for ride-sharing apps.

Airport Information

Margaret Ekpo International Airport CBQ

The main airport serving Calabar. Located a short drive from the city center.

Domestic Flight Hub

CBQ connects to major Nigerian cities, notably Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV).

International Connections

International flights arrive at LOS or ABV, with domestic transfers to Calabar.

Land Transportation to Calabar

Long-Distance Bus Travel

Several inter-state bus companies operate routes to and from Calabar, connecting it to major Nigerian cities like Thegos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

Bus Companies & Terminals

Popular companies: Cross Country, God is Good Motors (GIGM), ABC Transport, and Young Shall Grow.
Terminals: These companies operate from various specific terminals around Calabar.
Travel Time: Journeys can be very long (e.g., 10-15+ hours to Lagos), and road conditions vary.

Border Crossing & Rail

Calabar's proximity to Cameroon has land border crossing options, while passenger rail service is currently unavailable.

Crossings & No Rail

Cameroon Border: The Mfum-Ekok border post is the main crossing point from Nigeria to Cameroon, several hours by car from Calabar. Valid visas for both countries are necessary.
Train Connections: Calabar lacks functional passenger rail services.
Border Requirements: Always verify current visa and entry requirements for both Nigeria and Cameroon.

Self-Driving Considerations

Driving yourself has unique challenges and considerations for tourists in Nigeria.

Driving Information

Requirements: An International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your national driving license.
Recommendation: Self-driving is generally Not recommended for most tourists because of difficult road conditions, unfamiliar driving styles, and security concerns on inter-state roads. Traffic laws are not always strictly observed.
Car rentals with drivers are strongly advised.

Road Conditions & Safety

Travel Safety

Road Conditions: Vary significantly. Major highways can be fair, but many roads, especially rural ones, show poor maintenance with potholes and unpaved sections.
Safety Concerns: Security risks on some inter-state roads (e.g., kidnapping, armed robbery) concern travelers in Nigeria, though Cross River State generally counts as safer than some other regions.
Night Travel: Avoid night travel on inter-state roads.

Important Land Travel Warnings

Self-driving is generally discouraged for tourists.
Night travel on inter-state roads carries heightened risks.
Road conditions can be unpredictable and challenging.

Security risks on some highways.
Always verify border crossing requirements in advance.
Consider car rental with a trusted local driver.

Sea/River Arrivals in Calabar

Calabar Seaport

Calabar's port mainly handles cargo, with limited passenger available services. This impacts tourist entry via sea.

Port Functions

No regular passenger ferry services for tourists.
Occasional cruise ships may visit Calabar as part of West African itineraries.
Immigration and customs for cruise passengers occur onboard or at the port terminal.

River Transportation

Formal river getting around for tourists is limited. Local boats serve community travel needs.

Options & Limitations

Not much formal tourist options for river travel.
Local boats operate for community journey on the Calabar and Cross Rivers.
Private boat trips are arrangeable for specific excursions.

Port Accessibility

Calabar Port focuses on cargo. Passenger access is incommon and mainly for cruise visitors.

Tourist Services

Dedicated tourist river services are not standardized. Private tours require pre-arrangement.

Port to City

Taxis are available at Calabar Port for transport to the central area.

Departure Information

Departure Timing

Plan your airport arrival with sufficient time to navigate check-in and security processes, specifically for connecting international flights.

Recommended Arrival Times

Domestic Flights (from CBQ): Arrive at Margaret Ekpo International Airport at least 1.5 to 2 hours before scheduled departure.
International Flights (from Lagos/Abuja): Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled international departure if connecting from Calabar.
This accounts for potential traffic, security checks, and check-in procedures at larger international airports.

Exit Procedures & Fees

Understand the final steps for departing Nigeria, including any fees and available facilities.

Departure Details

Exit Fees or Taxes: Nigeria typically does not charge separate exit fees or taxes at its peak airports for international departures beyond what your airline ticket price includes.
Departure Procedures: Ensure all necessary documents, like your boarding pass and identification, are ready.
Services At the airport/station: Margaret Ekpo International Airport offers limited facilities, including small waiting areas and essential refreshment stalls. Bus terminals provide no-frills waiting areas and some informal food vendors.

Departure Checklist

Documents

Passport, boarding pass, visa (if needed for next destination).

Timing

Arrive at airport according to recommendations; allow extra time for connections.

Luggage

Confirm baggage allowances and check-in procedures for all flights.

Final Departure Advice

Confirm your flight status before heading to the airport. Watch out for traffic conditions, especially during peak hours, which influence travel time to the airport.

How to Get to Calabar