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Benin : General Travel Information

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Benin

Benin : General Travel Information

MONEY
Official Currency: CFA (Communaut Financire Africane) Franc=100 centimes.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted, but on a limited basis.

BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS
Banks: Monday to Friday: 0800 – 1100 and 1500 – 1700
Business: Monday to Friday: 0800 am to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00 Saturday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Government hours: Monday to Friday: 0800 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 18:30

LOCAL TIME
Benin is one hour ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND
Air:
International Flights
Air France : Flies into Cotonou

Domestic Flights:
There is a internal service offering flights between, Cotonou, Parakou, Djougu, Kandi and Natitingou and it is also possible to charter 2 seater planes

Train: Benin has one operational railway line, linking Cotonou with Bohicon, Sav and Parakou. Upholstered seats are only available in first class, existing only on the route to Parakou. Children under the age of four travel free and between the ages of four and nine pay half price. It takes approximately 13 hours to travel from Cotonou to Parakou.

Bus: Taxis are available in the main towns. Minibuses and bush taxis are the main form of travel throughout the country.

Road: The Africa Guide’s recommended Map
Benin, Republic of (Maps Worldwide)
Institut Geographique National (IGN) – Countries and Cities of the World
Sheet map, Full colour, Scale 1 : 600,000

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st JanuaryNew Year’s Day
Easter Monday
Ascension Day
1st May Workers Day
Whit Monday
1st August Independence Day
15th August Assumption Day
26th Oct Armed Forces Day
1st Nov All Saints’ Day
30th Nov National Day
25th Dec Christmas Day
Ramadan
Ad-el-FITR Maouland. The dates of Muslim holidays are observed following the sightings of the moon

TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you need medical care whilst in Benin, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country’s local embassy or representative.

To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

You can check out the following websites which specialise in long term travellers, adventure travellers, backpackers and workers based abroad.

VISAS & IMMIGRATION
Visas are required for all except nationals of Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden and many African countries. A 15 day visa generally requires 2 photos and is issued within 24 hours, If traveling overland it is possible to get your visa are the main Togo-Benin border crossing at Ouidah.

Visas can be extended for up to a period of three month in Cotonou from the Ministry of Interior on Ave Jean Paul II and costs approximately US$20. Three photos are required are they take up to 3 days to be issued. Applications are only accepted in the mornings up to 11:00 a.m.
Visa requirements can change at any time, so we do recommend that you contact your local representative for the latest information.
Listing of BeninTourist offices, Consulates or embassies located around the world

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