Getting Around Kasama
Kasama is a useful staging point in northern Zambia, and the practical realities of moving around it are fairly simple: this is a city where you get about by road, on foot, and by long-distance rail, rather than by any dense urban transit network. The sections below cover what actually exists and how to use it.
Rail: Long-Distance Only
Kasama has a railway station, and rail here is a long-distance option rather than a way of getting across town. Trains connect Kasama with Kapiri Mposhi to the south and with the Tanzanian border at Tunduma to the north, making the railway a genuinely useful link for onward travel rather than local transport.
- Second-class express sleeper accommodation is available on these services.
- Fares are inexpensive; you can buy a ticket for the journey to Kapiri Mposhi or to Tunduma at the station.
- Because services are long-distance and infrequent, plan your arrival and departure around the train rather than expecting to use it spontaneously.
Metro and Tram
There is no metro or tram network in Kasama. Any expectation of a city rail system, underground, or tram line should be set aside; the railway described above is the only rail service relevant to a visitor.
Buses and Long-Distance Coaches
Buses are the mainstay of intercity travel into and out of Kasama. Coach operators run services between Kasama and Lusaka, and there are also services linking Kasama with Mpulungu.
- For the Lusaka route, the operator Powertools runs buses to and from the capital; seats can be booked by phone.
- Powertools also serves the Kasama–Mpulungu route.
- Booking ahead by phone is worthwhile, since these are long-haul services and seats can fill up.
For shorter hops within and around the city, expect the usual informal minibus and shared-taxi arrangements typical of Zambian towns: vehicles leave when full, and you pay the conductor or driver on board. Fares are low and paid in cash, so keep small notes and coins to hand.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available for point-to-point trips and are the most straightforward option if you are carrying luggage or travelling outside daylight hours. Ride-hailing apps are not a dependable fixture here, so the practical approach is to arrange a taxi through your hotel or guesthouse, or to agree the fare with a driver before you set off. Settle the price in advance rather than relying on a meter.
Walking
Central Kasama is compact enough that walking covers a good deal of what a visitor needs — the station area, the main commercial streets, and nearby guesthouses and lodges. Walking is a reasonable way to get between the centre and your accommodation during the day. As with any town, it is sensible to avoid unlit areas after dark and to use a taxi for evening trips.
Getting In from the Airport
Kasama is served by an airport, but the reference material does not describe any dedicated airport shuttle, bus, or rail link into the city. In practice this means your arrival transfer will be by road — a taxi or a pre-arranged pickup from your accommodation. Arrange this before you fly, either through your hotel or with a local driver, and confirm the fare in advance. If you are continuing straight on to Lusaka, Mpulungu, Kapiri Mposhi, or Tunduma, it is worth checking coach and train timings before you land so you can decide whether to head into town first or connect onward.
Practical Summary
- Within the city: walk in the centre during the day; use taxis for luggage, evenings, and longer trips.
- To other towns: coaches for Lusaka and Mpulungu, booked ahead by phone where possible.
- Long-distance rail: sleeper trains south to Kapiri Mposhi and north to the Tanzanian border at Tunduma; buy tickets at Kasama railway station.
- From the airport: no public transit link is documented — arrange a taxi or hotel pickup in advance.
- Money: carry cash in small denominations for buses, minibuses, and taxis.