Getting Around Benghazi
Benghazi is Libya's second-largest city and a major centre of transport, commerce and culture. For a visitor, the practical reality is that getting around relies on road transport: taxis, minibuses and private cars. There is no metro, tram or light-rail network to plan around, and the historic railway station dates from the Italian colonial era rather than from any current passenger service.
Rail, Metro and Trams
There is no metro, tram or light-rail system in Benghazi, and no passenger rail network for a visitor to use. The city's association with rail is historical: under Italian colonial rule in the 1930s Benghazi gained a new railway station as part of a wider modernisation programme, and a line connecting the city to Tripoli was planned, but work stopped when the Second World War began. In short, do not build an itinerary around trains or trams — plan on travelling by road.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the most straightforward option for a visitor. In Benghazi you will encounter two distinct kinds of vehicle both described as taxis:
- Minibuses that run around a predefined route — these behave more like shared route transport than a private hire car.
- Black-and-white cars with taxi signs, nicknamed "dead pandas." These are the ones to stick with for a normal point-to-point journey.
Taxi travel is very cheap, but the vehicles are generally in a bad state of repair. They often lack parts that visitors from Western countries take for granted — indicators, headlights, bumpers, working brakes and even wheel nuts. Driving standards can make journeys feel eventful: drivers tend to turn across traffic lanes, and the dents along the sides of cars suggest this manoeuvre is not always completed successfully. Sitting in the back rather than the passenger seat is the more comfortable choice.
The drivers themselves are friendly and, like taxi drivers in many European cities, enjoy sharing their opinions whether or not you can understand them. As with most people in Benghazi, they generally try to make visitors feel welcome. No ride-hailing apps are described in the available information, so treat taxis as the practical way to get around.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Benghazi does not have a formal city bus network of the kind a visitor would recognise elsewhere. The closest thing to public transport is the minibus taxi: shared vehicles that travel around a predefined route. These can be useful for moving along a fixed corridor, but they are not a ticketed, timetabled system with published routes and passes. For most visitors, a private taxi will be simpler and easier to negotiate.
Walking
Walking is a reasonable way to cover short distances in the central part of Benghazi, but it is not a practical way to cross the city as a whole. The available guidance does not describe Benghazi as a walkable city for visitors, and given the heat, the road conditions and the distances involved, most journeys beyond the immediate neighbourhood are best made by taxi. Use walking for local errands and short hops, and plan on motorised transport for anything longer.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Benghazi is served by Benina Airport (airport code BEN; in Arabic, مطار بنينة الدولي), located outside the city centre. If you are arriving by air, keep the following in mind:
- Operations can be chaotic. Boarding passes and luggage tags may be handwritten, and very little information is available on the ground.
- Delays are frequent. Flights may be suspended, cancelled or delayed at any time, so build flexibility into your plans.
- Facilities are limited. Toilet facilities at the airport are poor, with few if any public toilets, and most restaurants do not have them either — you may have to wait until you reach your hotel or board your aircraft.
For the onward journey into the city, the practical option is a taxi. Arrange your transfer on arrival, expect a road journey rather than any rail or shuttle connection, and confirm the fare with the driver before setting off. Because airport operations can be unpredictable, it is worth having your accommodation details and a contact number ready in case your arrival time shifts.
Practical Summary
- There is no metro, tram or passenger rail service — plan on road transport.
- Taxis are cheap and widely available; choose the black-and-white cars over the route minibuses, and sit in the back.
- Minibuses serve predefined routes and are the nearest thing to public transport.
- Walking works for short central trips only.
- Benina Airport lies outside the city centre; expect a taxi transfer, frequent delays and very limited facilities on arrival.