Burkina Faso, meaning 'Land of Honest People,' is a West African nation rich in cultural heritage and traditional arts. From the vibrant capital Ouagadougou to the historic city of Bobo-Dioulasso, visitors can experience authentic West African culture, stunning natural landscapes including waterfalls and wildlife reserves, and warm hospitality.
- Public
- Limited SOTRACO bus network in Ouagadougou only — irregular, crowded, and difficult for visitors without local knowledge
- Taxi
- Most practical option for city travel — green shared taxis are cheap, private yellow/white taxis are comfortable but require negotiation
- Rental
- Car rental recommended for visiting sites outside cities — 4x4 essential for rural roads especially in rainy season
- Walking
- Ouagadougou centre is walkable in the cooler months but extreme heat and distance between sites makes walking impractical for most touring
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Private taxi: $10-15 fixed rate to city center, 20 minutes
- Taxi Info
- Negotiate fare before departure; licensed taxis at airport are safer than those approached outside terminal
- Shuttle
- Hotel shuttle: Free to $10 depending on hotel, pre-book in advance
- Shuttle Info
- Available from major hotels (Bravia, Azalai, Lancaster) — arrange 24 hours before arrival
- Bus
- No direct public bus from airport; SOTRACO buses run nearby but not airport-specific
- Bus Info
- City bus routes accessible 1 km from terminal; not recommended for tourists with luggage
- Private
- $60-80/pre-booked private transfer with driver
- Private Info
- Arrange through hotel concierge for guaranteed meet-and-greet service with name board
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
SOTRACO operates public buses in Ouagadougou on limited routes. Fare: 200-300 XOF ($0.35-0.50) per trip.
Alternatives
Green shared taxis (taxi-brousse) are most practical for short city trips; motorcycle taxis for very short distances in traffic
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $1.60 base fare + approximately $1.70/km for private taxis; shared taxis $1-2 per person
- Apps
- No established ride-hailing apps in Burkina Faso
- Typical Fare
- $5-8 for average city ride; negotiate before entering any taxi
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
TSR, STAF, and TCV bus companies serve major routes; Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso $8-12, 5-6 hours
Shared
Shared bush taxis (taxi-brousse) depart from Ouagadougou gare routière to all major towns when full; $5-15 per person depending on distance
Flights
Air Burkina domestic flights Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso $80-150 one-way; check schedules as service is irregular
Private
Car rental from $40/day economy or $80/day 4x4; Avis and Hertz available at Thomas Sankara International Airport
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Ouagadougou Airport (Thomas Sankara International Airport)
From centre: 6 km
Options: Private taxi: $10-15 fixed rate to city center; Hotel shuttle: Free to $10 depending on hotel; Ride app (if available): $8-12; Car rental: Available from international companies at airport
Bobo-Dioulasso Airport
From centre: 10 km
Options: Taxi: $12-18 to city center; Hotel pickup: Arrange in advance with accommodation; Shared taxi: $3-5 per person if available
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Orange Money
Mobile payment app useful for paying for some taxi services and local transactions; not ride-hailing but useful for cashless local payments
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always negotiate taxi fares before entering the vehicle — established metered taxis do not exist in Burkina Faso
Carry exact change in XOF — taxi drivers rarely have change for large notes
Pre-arrange transport home before going out in the evening — do not rely on finding taxis on the street after 10 PM for security reasons
For trips to Nazinga Ranch, Tiébélé, or Arly National Park, hire a vehicle with driver for the day from a reputable hotel — costs $80-150/day but saves significant hassle
Check road conditions before driving during rainy season (June-September) — laterite roads to natural sites can be impassable