Getting Around Namibia

Road Network, Traffic

Car, Camper Van

Public transport is limited, so unless you plan to stay only in cities (missing out on the main attractions) or opt for an organised tour, Namibia is a country best explored by car—not necessarily a 4x4, depending on your plans.

Rental

4x4 or Not 4x4?

Buses and Shared Vehicles

Buses

Namibia’s bus network is quite limited, focusing mainly on major routes between urban areas. There are few operators, primarily the national railway company TransNamib, which serves several cities no longer connected by train, and Intercape.

The latter is a South African company offering bus routes across Southern Africa. In Namibia, you can use its stops on routes between Windhoek and South Africa or the Victoria Falls region (Zambia/Zimbabwe) via the Caprivi Strip. There are also a few domestic routes, such as the line to the Angolan border or Walvis Bay from the capital. For the latter—the country’s busiest route—expect roughly 5 hours of travel for 17/20 € one way, comparable to the shuttle service on the same route by Town Hoppers.

Shared Taxis

As in many countries, buses are supplemented by shared taxis. These minibuses, called combis, only depart when full, stop on demand, and run on fixed short- to medium-distance routes along main axes. They’re very affordable with fixed fares, though driving can sometimes be a bit risky...

Two Wheels

Motorcycle

Bicycle

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is best avoided in Namibia for safety reasons, both due to the risk of assault and the often inhospitable nature of some areas.

Trains

With just over 2,500 km of tracks, Namibia’s railway network is underdeveloped and primarily used for freight. However, the national company TransNamib does offer a few passenger lines. The main one connects Windhoek to Walvis Bay in 12 hours, with additional services to the south (Keetmanshoop) and a segment from Tsumeb to Oshikango on the Angolan border. Options are limited, with infrequent, slow—but cheap—trains. For non-drivers, the line between the capital and Walvis Bay on the coast is the most useful.

Alongside this small network, the company occasionally runs a luxury train, the Desert Express, for weekend trips between Windhoek and Swakopmund or longer week-long tours across the country, including to Etosha National Park.

Boats

There are no regular boat services in the country. You can only take short sea trips (fishing, dolphin watching) or river excursions, such as on the Okavango.

Domestic Flights

Excluding small on-demand operators—particularly for safaris—the only airline with a domestic network is the national carrier Air Namibia. It serves around half a dozen cities, all from one of the capital’s two airports, requiring a stopover in Windhoek to connect between other cities. Tickets aren’t particularly cheap: expect to pay from 100 € one way for Walvis Bay (the shortest flight) to over 150 € for Katima Mulilo (the longest).

In Towns

Taxis

Other Means

What to Choose for Getting Around?

Public transport is limited in Namibia. Unless you plan to stay only in cities, the country is best explored by car—not necessarily a 4x4 (it depends on your plans). A vehicle with a "roof tent" can also be a great option for camping.

Distances Between Cities

Distances (km) between the main cities in the country: