Getting Around Livingstone
Livingstone is a compact city, and the bulk of its accommodation, restaurants, and nightlife sits close together in the town centre. That makes getting around fairly straightforward for a visitor: you can cover much of the centre on foot, and for everything else there are taxis, shared minivans, and the occasional bus. There is no metro, tram, or suburban rail network to navigate, so your practical choices come down to walking, taxis, minibuses, and organised transfers.
Walking
The town centre is relatively walkable during the day, with banks, supermarkets, and restaurants all within easy reach of one another. Sidewalks exist in some areas, but road conditions are inconsistent, and safety concerns make walking less comfortable after dark. The bigger limitation is that many of the area's main attractions, including Victoria Falls, lie well beyond comfortable walking distance from town, so you will need wheels for those trips. Cycling is possible and bicycle rentals are available, with bicycle tourism growing, but there is no dedicated cycling infrastructure, so riders share the road with vehicles. In practice, cycling works best for leisure or guided tours rather than routine errands.
Rail
Livingstone has a small railway station just south of the city centre, but this is long-distance rail rather than a local commuter service. Zambia Railways operates a once-weekly Zambezi train from Kitwe via Lusaka, and a third-class-only train connects with Mulobezi once a week. Across the border, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is the terminus for overnight trains from Harare and Bulawayo. If you are arriving by train, expect to continue your journey into town by taxi or on foot from the station.
Buses and Minibuses
Public transport within Livingstone consists primarily of minibus taxis, whose quality and reliability vary. Local public transit does not substantially help with everyday travel around town, so most visitors use it only for specific routes. Long-distance buses are a different story: relatively comfortable luxury coaches run between Lusaka and Livingstone, and tickets can be purchased in advance at the bus terminal in Lusaka or reserved ahead from the inter-city bus terminus. Several companies operate the route, and there are also international services linking the Livingstone inter-city bus terminus with Windhoek via Katima Mulilo and with Francistown via Kasane. Minibuses also run the Lusaka route for roughly similar fares, though they tend to be more cramped.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the most dependable way to get around Livingstone, and they prowl the streets constantly. Official taxis are blue with red number plates. Fares are typically negotiated, and journeys within town are inexpensive. If you flag a taxi on your way to the town centre, the driver may ask whether you are booking the vehicle or not: booking means you pay full fare and get taken door to door, while not booking means you pay for a single seat and the driver may pick up other passengers heading the same way. Journeys to five-star hotels tend to cost more than average, and if your hotel or guesthouse arranges the taxi for you, the price may be higher than negotiating with the driver directly.
Ride-hailing is limited but available: the Yango app can be used in Livingstone, though cash is required. A local rideshare or taxi app also exists.
For budget-minded and patient travellers, shared taxis wait at the taxi depot across the street from Shoprite Livingstone, next to Livingstone City Market, separate from the official bus terminal. These are minivans that fill up with passengers before departing, which during regular hours does not take long. They serve destinations such as Victoria Falls and the Kazungula crossing into Botswana.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) is Livingstone's own airport, with flights arriving daily. It was renamed in honour of Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, an integral part of Zambia's independence movement. Direct connections include Johannesburg, Lusaka, Harare, Nairobi, and Cape Town, with most visitors arriving from Johannesburg. The airport sits a short drive from the town centre.
Taxis are the standard way into town from the airport. The local price for the ride is modest, and US dollars are accepted, though foreigners should expect to pay more. As a rule of thumb, the fare should not exceed US$10; anything more is a rip-off. Yango can also be used from the airport, but you will need cash. Some activity operators and lodges run transfers from accommodation, and backpacker lodges offer shuttle services between town and the Falls entrance, so it is worth asking your host before you arrive.
You can also fly into Victoria Falls (VFA) on the Zimbabwe side of the border and cross into Zambia from there. If you come from Victoria Falls on foot, you will need a blue taxi into Livingstone town, with taxis waiting just at the border post; minibuses are a cheaper alternative. If you take the ferry from Botswana to Kazungula, shared taxis wait a short distance from immigration, leave when full, and charge per person to Livingstone.
Practical Tips
- Stay in the town centre if you want to walk to banks, shops, and restaurants.
- Plan on taxis or a transfer for Victoria Falls and other out-of-town attractions.
- Agree the fare before you set off, and confirm whether you are booking the whole taxi or paying for a seat.
- Keep cash on hand, including for ride-hailing, since Yango requires it.
- Ask your lodge or guesthouse about shuttle services and operator transfers before arranging a taxi yourself.
- Cross-border trips are feasible on foot at the Victoria Falls Bridge, and a KAZA UNIVISA lets you visit both sides in one day.