Transportation

Caracas is served by Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS), on the coast and separated from the city by a mountain range, so the road climbs and descends through a tunnel and can be slow. Arrange a trusted transfer through your hotel or an official desk rather than accepting unmarked cars, and try to travel in daylight.

Caracas has a metro (Metro de Caracas) plus city buses and shared minibuses known as carritos or por puesto that run fixed routes. Services can be crowded and affected by power cuts, and are hard to navigate without local knowledge. Many visitors prefer arranged transport, and it is best to keep valuables out of sight.

There is no single nationwide contactless travel card. The Metro de Caracas has used its own fare cards, but availability and fares change with the economic situation, and machines may not always work. Carry small change, ask locally about the current system, and treat public transit as a secondary option to arranged transport.

Ride-hailing app coverage in Venezuela is limited and unreliable, so do not count on it. The safer choice is an official taxi or a driver arranged through your hotel or a trusted contact, agreeing the fare and route before you set off. Avoid hailing unmarked cars on the street, especially at night.

Venezuela drives on the right. Self-drive is challenging for visitors: fuel supply can be unpredictable with long queues, road conditions and lighting vary, and security concerns make night driving inadvisable. Many travellers hire a car with a local driver instead. Check the latest situation before relying on driving yourself.

Long-distance buses connect major cities and are the main overland option, but journeys can be long and schedules change. Domestic flights (Conviasa and others) save time over big distances. Because security and fuel conditions can affect the roads, keep plans flexible, travel by day where possible and confirm the latest situation before booking.

Domestic flights link Caracas with cities such as Maracaibo, Porlamar (Margarita Island) and others, and save a lot of time over long overland journeys. The main carrier is Conviasa, alongside some other airlines. Schedules and routes can change, so book through reputable channels and reconfirm your flight, as cancellations and delays are possible.

Plan transport in advance and stay flexible: power cuts, fuel shortages and security concerns can all affect travel, so favour daylight journeys and trusted, pre-arranged transport. Keep valuables out of sight, carry small amounts of cash, download offline maps and always check the latest local situation before you set off.