Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), the usual ways into the city are a metered taxi, a ride-hailing app such as Bolt, Uber or inDrive, or a pre-arranged hotel transfer, which is often the smoothest option. Abuja is served by Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV). Traffic can be heavy, so allow extra time.
- Lagos
- Murtala Muhammed (LOS)
- Options
- Taxi, apps, hotel transfer
- Abuja
- Nnamdi Azikiwe (ABV)
- A pre-arranged hotel transfer is often smoothest
- Allow extra time for heavy traffic
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
City transport in Lagos includes danfo (yellow shared minibuses), keke (three-wheel tricycle taxis), okada (motorcycle taxis, restricted in some areas) and the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). Lagos has also opened the Blue Line and Red Line urban rail. Ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative, and traffic (locally called "go-slow") can be heavy.
- Buses
- Danfo, BRT
- Small vehicles
- Keke, okada
- Rail
- Blue Line, Red Line
- Ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative
- Traffic ("go-slow") can be heavy
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Lagos uses the Cowry card, a rechargeable transit card for the BRT buses and the urban rail lines. Buy and top up the card at stations and terminals, then tap in when you board. Informal minibuses (danfo) and tricycles usually take cash, so keep small notes handy.
- Card
- Cowry (Lagos)
- Use
- BRT and urban rail
- Cash
- Danfo/keke take cash
- Buy and top up at stations and terminals
- Keep small notes for informal transport
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Nigeria drives on the right. Many visitors hire a car with a driver rather than self-drive, as traffic is heavy, road conditions vary and local driving styles can be assertive. If you do self-drive, carry your licence and papers and be ready for police checkpoints. In cities, ride-hailing is often simpler than a rental.
- Drives on
- The right
- Common
- Car with a driver
- Cities
- Ride-hailing often simpler
- Traffic is heavy and road conditions vary
- Carry licence and papers for checkpoints
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Intercity travel is mostly by long-distance bus, with established operators such as ABC Transport running scheduled coaches between major cities. Domestic flights are popular for longer trips, for example Lagos to Abuja. There is also a standard-gauge railway between Lagos and Ibadan. Book buses and flights ahead on busy routes.
- Bus
- ABC Transport and others
- Flights
- Lagos–Abuja and more
- Rail
- Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge
- Book ahead on busy routes
- Flights suit longer trips
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are a common way to cover longer distances quickly, with carriers such as Air Peace and Arik Air linking cities like Lagos and Abuja. Flying saves a lot of time over road travel on long routes. Allow buffer time, as schedules can shift, and book ahead on busy routes and around holidays.
- Carriers
- Air Peace, Arik and others
- Example
- Lagos–Abuja
- Tip
- Allow buffer time; book ahead
- Flying saves time over road travel on long routes
- Schedules can shift, so allow buffer time
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Allow plenty of extra time for city traffic ("go-slow"), which can turn short trips into long ones during rush hour. Ride-hailing apps make fares and routes clear, and a pre-arranged transfer is handy on arrival. Keep small cash for informal transport, and confirm the fare before boarding a traditional taxi.
- Traffic
- Allow extra time
- Apps
- Clear fares and routes
- Cash
- Small notes for informal rides
- A pre-arranged transfer is handy on arrival
- Confirm the fare before boarding a traditional taxi