Getting Around Khartoum: A Practical Guide
Khartoum presents both advantages and challenges for visitors navigating the city. The metropolitan area spans three distinct cities—Khartoum proper, Khartoum North, and Omdurman—connected by bridges across the Nile. The city's grid layout with long straight roads makes orientation straightforward, and the Nile itself serves as a useful reference point. However, the cities are spread out, making walking impractical for most journeys. Multiple transportation options exist, each suited to different travel needs and budgets.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services
Taxis come in three varieties: older yellow Toyota Corollas, small minivans seating up to six passengers, and modern metered taxis. Most drivers speak little to no English and may have limited knowledge of city geography, particularly areas outside their usual routes. Many cannot read maps or even Arabic, so it helps to have your destination written in Arabic or to use landmarks for directions.
For a more reliable option, LimoTrip offers air-conditioned metered taxis with two-way radio dispatch. Crossing the Nile by taxi typically doubles the fare, as travelers must use the bridges connecting the three cities.
Minibuses
Minibuses are the most economical way to travel around Khartoum, especially between the three cities. Thousands of minibuses operate throughout the metropolitan area, and you will see large numbers gathered near the Great Mosque and Souk al-Arabi. However, they are complicated to use: they display no destination signs, and you must speak some Arabic to ask the conductor which minibus serves your route. Minibuses are always packed with passengers. Most minibuses depart from the square near the Great Mosque in Khartoum proper and nearby areas.
Three-Wheeled Taxis (Bajaj or Raksha)
Three-wheeled taxis, called "bajaj" or "raksha," offer a middle ground between taxis and buses in both cost and speed. They are cheaper than regular taxis but more expensive than minibuses. These vehicles work best for short trips within a single one of Khartoum's three cities; if you need to cross the Nile, regular taxis or minibuses are preferable.
Rail Network
Rail services to and around Khartoum are limited but are receiving renewed investment. The main train station is Khartoum North (Bahri). A daily Nile Express train runs from Atbara, and services run three times per day from Wad Madani. Older, less frequent trains serve Port Sudan, Wadi Halfa (which connects to ferries from Egypt), and Nyala. These services offer an alternative to buses for long-distance travel, though frequency and reliability vary.
Buses for Long-Distance Travel
Long-distance buses depart from the Khartoum Land Terminal (Meena al Barre), a more orderly facility that replaced the chaotic Souq al-Shaabi. From here, buses travel to Port Sudan, Wad Medani, Kassala, El-Obeid, Karima, and Gedarif. Buses to Atbara depart from the Khartoum North Bus Station (also called Shendi Bus Station). Buses also arrive from Aswan, Egypt, though the journey takes 24 hours. Note that there are no bus services to southern Sudan; travel south is only possible by air.
Walkability
While Khartoum's grid layout makes the city easy to understand on a map, the distances between destinations make walking impractical. The three cities are very spread out, and walking long distances in the climate can be tiring. Walking works for exploring a specific neighborhood or city center, but most journeys across Khartoum require motorized transport.
Ferry Services
No ferry services connect the three main cities, as they are well linked by road bridges. However, a ferry service operates between Khartoum proper and Tuti Island, a small rural island in the middle of the Blue Nile. Boats depart from the river bank along Nile Street opposite the Friendship Hall, west of the city center. A second ferry runs between Tuti and Omdurman, except on Fridays.
Getting from Khartoum Airport to the City
Khartoum Airport (KRT) is located close to the city in the Al-Amarat area and serves as Sudan's main international gateway. Several options exist for reaching the city center:
- Taxis offer the most straightforward option. A fixed taxi fare from the airport to the city was available in recent years, though metered taxis are also available for those who prefer that option.
- Minibuses cruise along the main road approximately 200 meters from the airport terminal. Walking out to this road provides access to cheap minibus transport into the city.
- You can book a metered taxi in advance for guaranteed service and a known price.
When arriving at the airport, be prepared for potential crowds and long queues at immigration and security checkpoints. Going early helps avoid the worst of the congestion. A bank facility for currency exchange operates during flight arrival times, even at night. No departure tax is charged when leaving Sudan, as it is included in your ticket price.
Car Rental
Car rental is available, though prices run slightly above the African average. Rental companies are concentrated along Airport Road and Ibed Khetim Road, east of the airport. Ask for "limousine," the Arabic term for car hire. If you plan to drive into the desert, costs increase significantly, as operators typically charge for a 100-kilometer base distance plus per-kilometer fees beyond that. Fuel costs should be factored into any long-distance driving plans.
Driving Conditions
Traffic in Khartoum is chaotic, with many cars competing for space at the city's numerous intersections created by the grid layout. Driving attitudes have not kept pace with the economic boom that has increased the number of vehicles on the road. However, the generally slow speed of traffic means serious accidents are rare. If you are unfamiliar with such driving conditions, relying on taxis is advisable rather than renting a car and navigating traffic yourself.