Getting Around, Sudan Travel and Transport

(Sudan, SD, North-East Africa)

Continuing political instability in Sudan means that it is not always possible or indeed practical to travel around all parts of the country.

Some regions, particularly those on the borders with South Sudan, Chad and Eritrea, are deemed by some foreign governments to be too risky for anything but the very most essential of travel.

If you are planning to stay in Khartoum itself, then you will find that it is relatively easy to negotiate, thanks to its grid street layout and public transport. That said, the city is spread out over a large area, so isn't really 'walkable'. If you are taking a taxi, it is wise to enquire as to the cost in advance, so that you have a clear idea of what you will be paying when the journey comes to an end.

Khartoum Airport (KRT) / Arriving by Air

Address: Hay Al-Matar, Khartoum, Sudan, SD, Africa
Tel: +249 (0)1 8373624
Most tourists to Sudan will enter through this main gateway into the country. Many European, African and Middle Eastern airlines operate international services to and from the airport, including British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Lufthansa. Sudan Airways provides domestic flights between Khartoum and several African cities, including Port Sudan and Juba.

Khartoum Airport is conveniently situated just a short distance from the city centre. The best way to travel from the airport to your hotel is to take a taxi. However, more adventurous travellers can opt to catch one of the many minibuses that ply the nearby main road.

Car Rental

Those who prefer to travel around Sudan by car should be aware that only major highways and some city streets are paved. More roads are being built all the time, so it should be the case that travelling by car will become easier as time goes on. However, even paved roads can quickly become obscured by sand drifts, making driving rather hazardous at times.

Cars and four-wheel drive vehicles can be hired in Khartoum. The cost of car rental depends on whereabouts you want to travel. If you are heading out of the city, the cost will be considerably higher.

Book your Sudan Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

Bus transport services run from Khartoum to the city of Port Sudan and other southern cities, such as Wad Medani, Kassala and El-Obeid. North-bound buses depart from Omdurman.

Within Khartoum itself, minibuses ply various routes, gathering near the Great Mosque square or nearby.

Trains

Sudan's once-extensive rail network has suffered from neglect in recent decades. Consequently, passenger trains are few and far between. A main line rail service runs from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa on the Egyptian border. Trains also operate between Atbara in north-eastern Sudan and Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Of note, the main train station in Khartoum is in the district of Bahri.

Taxis

Local taxi transport tends to come in a variety of forms, including those that are metered and those that aren't. In addition, minivans operate all around Sudan, particularly in large cities such as Khartoum. Another popular way to travel around Khartoum is to take a 'bajaj' or three-wheeled taxi, although they are best reserved for shorter trips. In Port Sudan, rickshaws can be found all over the city.

Boat

Those considering the possibilities presented by ferries will find that a popular ferry service operates from Jeddah, on Sudan's Red Sea coast, to Egypt.