Thinking of visiting Benin, one of West Africa’s most culturally rich and peaceful nations? Whether you’re flying from France, Germany, the UK, or elsewhere in Europe, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip in 2025.
🛂 1. Visa Requirements
✅ Do you need a visa?
Yes, most European travelers need a visa to enter Benin — but it’s easy to get online.
- Type: eVisa (Tourist or Business)
- Where: https://evisa.gouv.bj
- Duration options:
- 30-day single entry
- 30-day multiple entry
- 90-day multiple entry
- Processing time: 24–72 hours
- Cost: Around €50–€100, depending on visa type
💡 Tip: Print your eVisa before travel, and also save it on your phone.
✈️ 2. Flights from Europe to Benin
🛫 Main Airport:
Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO)
🛬 Common routes (as of 2025):
- From Paris (CDG or ORY): Daily direct flights via Air France or ASKY Airlines
- From Brussels: With Royal Air Maroc (layover in Casablanca)
- From Frankfurt or Amsterdam: With Turkish Airlines or Ethiopian Airlines (1 stop)
- From London: 1–2 stops (via Istanbul, Casablanca, or Addis Ababa)
🧳 Flights average €500–€900 round-trip depending on season.
💉 3. Vaccinations & Health
- ✅ Yellow fever vaccine: Required – show proof at entry
- Recommended:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Malaria pills (Benin is a malaria zone)
- Drink only bottled or filtered water
- Travel insurance with health coverage highly recommended
🌤️ 4. Best Time to Visit Benin
- November to March: Dry season – best time to travel (cooler, less rain)
- April to October: Rainy season, especially in the south
💶 5. Currency & Money
- Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
- €1 ≈ 655 XOF (fixed rate)
- Cards accepted in major hotels/restaurants, but cash is king
- ATMs available in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, and Parakou
🏨 6. Accommodation
- Options range from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels
- Recommended hotels:
- Golden Tulip Le Diplomate (Cotonou)
- Novotel Cotonou Orisha
- Hotel Maison Rouge
- Green Residence Benin (affordable & secure)
Book in advance during holidays or dry season!
🚗 7. Getting Around
- Cotonou: Taxis, moto-taxis (zémidjans), private car hire
- Between cities: Coach buses, shared taxis, or rented 4×4 with driver
- Roads improving, but rural areas may require 4WD
🌍 8. Top Places to Visit
- 🏝️ Ganvié – “The Venice of Africa” (lake village)
- 🐘 Pendjari National Park – Big 5 safari
- 🏛️ Ouidah – History of slavery, Voodoo culture
- 🏙️ Porto-Novo – Colonial architecture & museums
- 🥘 Cotonou – Markets, nightlife, beaches
📶 9. Connectivity & Internet
- Buy a local SIM card (MTN or Moov) at the airport or city
- Mobile data is fast & cheap (4G widely available)
- Wi-Fi in most hotels and cafés
🛃 10. Safety & Customs
- Benin is safe for tourists — among West Africa’s most stable countries
- Avoid night travel in rural areas
- Respect local customs, especially in religious or traditional areas
✅ Final Checklist Before You Go:
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Valid passport (6+ months) | ✅ |
| Benin eVisa | ✅ Apply online |
| Yellow fever card | ✅ Required |
| Vaccines & malaria meds | ✅ Recommended |
| Insurance | ✅ Highly advised |
| Cash (XOF) or credit card | ✅ Needed |
| Flight & hotel booked | ✅ |
