Bus travel connects more cities in West Africa than any other transport mode. Domestic flights exist between major capitals but serve a fraction of routes. Rail networks are minimal or non-functional in most countries. The bus network is the primary intercity link.
Two tiers of service operate:
Organised coach operators: Fixed departure times, reserved seating, air-conditioning, reasonable luggage storage. Safer, more predictable and more expensive than shared transport.
Bush taxis and shared minivans (sept-place in Francophone countries): Depart when full rather than at a fixed time. More affordable, more flexible on routes but less comfortable and with variable safety standards.
State Transport Corporation (STC): Ghana's government-operated bus company runs air-conditioned coaches between Accra and major cities.
Key routes:
Book at: STC terminals in Accra (Circle and Tudu) or through the STC website (stcgh.com.gh). Booking online is possible but ticket collection at the terminal is often required.
VIP Transfers: A private operator running similar routes with comparable quality. Tickets from VIP terminals across major cities. Slightly more expensive than STC with more frequent departures.
Enter your departure city and destination in West Africa to get a route plan with available transport options, estimated journey times and practical booking information for each leg.
Plan West Africa RouteGet Transport Booking GuideDakar Dem Dikk (DDD): Senegal's government bus company operates urban routes in Dakar and some intercity services. Modern buses; fixed routes; reliable by regional standards.
Sept-place (7-seat shared taxis): The dominant intercity transport across Senegal. A Peugeot 504 estate car carries 7 passengers (driver plus 6). Departs from the gare routière (bus station) in each city when full.
Key routes and costs:
Booking sept-places: No advance booking. Arrive at the gare routière and purchase a seat from the car owner. Negotiate the price before sitting. Buying all 6 passenger seats secures immediate departure.
ABC Transport: One of Nigeria's most reliable intercity coach operators. Air-conditioned coaches with reserved seating. GPS tracking on some services.
GUO Transport: Similar quality to ABC. Stronger network in eastern and southeastern Nigeria.
Key routes and costs:
Book at: ABC Transport offices (abctransport.com) and GUO Transport offices in major terminals. Online booking exists but terminal booking is more reliable for confirming seat availability.
Lagos terminal note: Lagos has multiple departure points. Confirm which terminal your specific service departs from before arriving. The main interstate terminals are in Ojota and Mile 2.
Daytime travel preference: Many experienced travellers in West Africa choose daytime journeys over overnight travel. Road accidents in West Africa have higher rates at night. Visibility, fatigue and reduced police checkpoint activity at night all contribute.
Operator selection: Established commercial coach operators (ABC, STC, VIP in Ghana, Rimbo and Bozofar in Niger and Mali) have better safety records than informal transport because they maintain vehicles more systematically.
Departure time: Many West African bus services officially depart at 6am or 7am. The actual departure happens when the bus fills or when the driver decides to leave, sometimes 30 to 90 minutes later than scheduled. Budget for this when planning connections.
What to bring:
ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) allows citizens of member states to travel between countries without a visa for up to 90 days. Non-African nationals require visas for most countries.
Cross-border routes that work reasonably well:
Border crossings add 1 to 3 hours to journey times. Have all documents ready (passport, visa if required, vehicle documents if driving). Currency exchange is available at most major border crossings but rates vary.