Getting Around in Haiti

Road Network and Traffic

Car Rental

Car rental agencies are mainly located at the airports of Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien. While you can generally choose between a two-wheel-drive or a 4x4 vehicle, the ideal option is to rent a car with a driver. Given the traffic, road conditions, frequent lack of signage, and other "local specifics" that can be challenging for those unfamiliar with them, having a local driver is a significant advantage—even if it may cost a bit more in the end. Note that it is impossible to travel to Dominican Republic from Haiti (or vice versa) with a rental vehicle.

Beyond agency vehicles, many Haitians with a car won’t hesitate to rent it out (negotiable price) and act as a driver for a single trip or longer.

Buses and Shared Vehicles

Buses and Minibuses

"Tap-taps"

These are one of the country’s symbols (alongside naïve painting). They are minibuses or pickup trucks that have been converted and brightly decorated, often with religious slogans, serving as shared taxis. They are the main mode of transport for the vast majority of Haitians. As usual, they leave when they are (very) full, stop on demand, and are a very economical—but not particularly comfortable (or safe)—option for getting around cities and traveling short to medium distances. On the other side of the border, in Santo Domingo, tap-taps are called guaguas.

Motorcycle Taxis

This is an option ("at your own risk," as some say) for short distances or within cities. Negotiate the price before the ride.

Two-Wheel Transport

Motorcycles

Bicycles

Hitchhiking

Not really recommended for tourists and often not free. If you’re just looking to save money, tap-taps are a better option.

Trains

There are no longer any trains in Haiti, nor generally on the entire island of Hispaniola.

Boats

Domestic Flights

There is a small domestic network centered on the capital, operated by three local airlines (Salsa d'Haïti, Sunrise Airways, and Tortug'Air). The cities of Port-de-Paix, Les Cayes, Jérémie, and Jacmel are connected to the capital by Tortug'Air, while the Cap-Haïtien/Port-au-Prince route is by far the busiest, with several flights per day. Expect to pay roughly $90–130 per trip, depending on the route. Even though the flights are short, the time saved compared to ground transport is usually worthwhile.

In the City

Taxis

Other Means

What to Choose for Getting Around?

Distances Between Cities

Distances (km) between the main cities and tourist sites in the country: