Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in the Republic of the Congo, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Traffic safety is hazardous due to high speeds, aggressive driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and indifference toward the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate significantly during the rainy season from October to May.

Gasoline and diesel fuel are sometimes unavailable in the major cities and especially in the more isolated regions of the country.

Bus travel can be unsafe. Hire only government authorized green and white taxis in Brazzaville and blue and white taxis in Pointe-Noire. Taxis are not metered, so fares should be negotiated before passengers embark. Most taxi drivers will round-up fares or not return change.

Police may pull over drivers who talk or text while driving for not following safe driving procedures.

Ferry service between Brazzaville and Kinshasa may close completely with minimal notice. A visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is required to cross the Congo River from Brazzaville to Kinshasa. Likewise, a visa for the Republic of the Congo is required when arriving by boat in Brazzaville.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: There is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in the Republic of the Congo, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of the Republic of the Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.