Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and economic powerhouse, offers vibrant cities like Lagos and Abuja, rich cultural heritage spanning over 250 ethnic groups, diverse landscapes from Atlantic beaches to savanna, and world-renowned Afrobeat music scene. Experience bustling markets, ancient kingdoms, wildlife reserves, and warm Nigerian hospitality.
- Public
- Lagos BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and danfo (yellow minibuses) cover the city but are crowded and not tourist-friendly. Abuja public buses exist but are limited. Generally not recommended for visitors with luggage or time constraints.
- Taxi
- Uber and Bolt are the gold standard in Lagos and Abuja — reliable, metered, and safe. Traditional yellow taxis require fare negotiation upfront. Never use unmarked kabu-kabu taxis.
- Rental
- Car rental available but Lagos traffic is notoriously severe. Most visitors prefer hiring a driver ($40-80/day) to renting a self-drive vehicle. Recommended for exploring outside cities.
- Walking
- Walkable only in specific areas: Abuja central district is pedestrian-friendly. Lagos is difficult to walk due to traffic, heat, lack of pavements, and security concerns outside main thoroughfares.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official airport taxi - $25-35 to VI/Ikoyi
- Shuttle
- Uber/Bolt rideshare - $15-25 to VI/Ikoyi
- Bus
- BRT Bus to Ikorodu - $2
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Lagos: LAGBUS and BRT buses on major routes ($0.50-1.50). Danfo (yellow buses) everywhere ($0.30-0.80) but crowded. Abuja: Public buses available but less extensive. Molue buses in Lagos for longer routes.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Regular taxis: Base fare ₦500 ($0.35), then ₦100-150 ($0.07-0.10) per km. Always negotiate before entering. Yellow cabs more reliable than kabu-kabu (unmarked taxis). Expect $5-15 for typical city journeys.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
ABC Transport, GUO Transport, God is Good Motors (GIGM) operate interstate routes. Lagos-Abuja: $20-30, 10-12 hours. Lagos-Port Harcourt: $25-35, 10 hours. Air-conditioned coaches. Book online or at terminals. Young Shall Grow and Peace Mass Transit also popular.
Flights
Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana Air, Ibom Air operate domestic routes. Lagos-Abuja: $80-150, 1 hour. Lagos-Port Harcourt: $70-120, 1 hour. Book in advance for better prices. Flights often delayed - build in buffer time.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Murtala Muhammed International Airport
From centre: 22 km to Lagos Island, 15 km to Ikeja
Options: Official airport taxi - $25-35 to VI/Ikoyi; Uber/Bolt rideshare - $15-25 to VI/Ikoyi; BRT Bus to Ikorodu - $2; Hotel shuttles (prearranged); Car rental services available
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
From centre: 40 km to Abuja city center
Options: Official airport taxi - $30-40 to city center; Uber/Bolt rideshare - $20-30 to city center; Hotel shuttles (prearranged); Car rental services available; Shared taxi vans - $8-12
Port Harcourt International Airport
From centre: 30 km to Port Harcourt city
Options: Airport taxi - $25-35; Uber/Bolt rideshare - $18-28; Hotel shuttles available; Car rental services
Akanu Ibiam International Airport
From centre: 10 km to Enugu city
Options: Airport taxi - $15-20; Uber/Bolt - $10-15; Hotel shuttles; Local taxis available
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Reliable ride-hailing covering Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Best for airport transfers and predictable pricing.
Bolt
Slightly cheaper than Uber in Nigeria with comparable coverage. Popular with locals. Good for everyday city rides.
GIGM (God is Good Motors)
Premium intercity coach booking app. Online booking for Lagos-Abuja and other major routes. Air-conditioned coaches with fixed departure times.
inDrive
Price-negotiation ride app growing in Lagos. Allows passengers to offer a fare and drivers to accept. Often cheaper for longer rides.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Bolt before arriving — they are the only safe, reliable transport in Lagos and Abuja after dark
Lagos traffic (go-slow) can add 1-3 hours to journeys during rush hours (7-10 AM and 4-8 PM) — always plan extra time
Domestic flights between Lagos and Abuja ($80-150) save 9-12 hours of bus journey — worth the cost for single-city trips
GIGM (God is Good Motors) buses are the best-quality long-distance coaches — book online at gigm.com to guarantee seats
Motorcycle okada taxis can bypass traffic but carry serious injury risk — avoid using them
Abuja is significantly easier to navigate by road than Lagos — traffic is manageable outside rush hours
Always confirm Uber/Bolt driver details (name, plate number, car photo) before entering the vehicle