Our Windhoek and Central Namibia Transportation Guide below will tell you how to get to and around this region of Namibia. You should also check out our Windhoek and Central Namibia tours, which are a great way of exploring the region. Our Namibia Transportation Guide provides more information on getting to and around Namibia.

Windhoek & Central Namibia Transportation Guide

Getting to Windhoek & Central Namibia

By Air

International flights arrive and depart from Windhoek through Hosea Kutako International Airport, located 45 km northeast of the city. There are international air links with Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola. Daily flights by Air Namibia operate from Windhoek to Cape Town and Johannesburg. The airline also runs flights from Windhoek to Frankfurt. Whilst small by international standards the airport is relatively modern with good facilities and services.

Hiring a car is fairly straightforward at the airport as the larger car-hire companies have their own offices and others will meet you there on request. Otherwise you can take a shuttle or taxi. Remember to tip porters who carry your bags to your car or taxi.

Eros International Airport is located within the city limits about 500m from the Safari Hotel. Smaller than the international airport it is used for most of Air Namibia's domestic flights, a few regional services, and light aircraft. Air Namibia flights from here go to Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz, Ondangwa, Rundu, Walvis Bay near Swakopmund, and Tsumeb. Whilst there is no public transport to or from this airport, it's close to the city centre and taxis can easily be arranged. There is also an Avis office if you'd prefer to hire a car.

By Bus

Intercape Mainliner coaches depart from its main station located at the intersection of Fidel Castro Street and Reverend Michael Scott Street. Coaches run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 16.55 to South Africa's Cape Town (20 hours) and Johannesburg (25 hours, with a change in Upington). They also travel west with daily services to Swakopmund (4 hours 15 minutes), and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays they head to Walvis Bay at 05.55 via Okahandja, Karibib, Usakos, and Swakopmund. On Monday and Friday only, there are departures to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls (19 hours 45 minutes) via Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

By Train

At the intersection of Bahnhof Street and John Meinert Streets is Windhoek's railway station (tel: 061 298 2032). There are no international services, but a regular service connects it with Swakopmund and Walvis Bay daily (except Saturday) at 19.55, Keetmanshoop daily (except Saturday) at 19.00, Tsumeb on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 17.45, and Gobabis on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 21.50. Trans-Namib / Starline is the service provider of this relatively slow service (298 2175; Starline).

Windhoek is also the departing point for Desert Express's trips across the Namib. Aimed at tourists, these trains depart on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 14.30 (15.30 in summer), arriving in Swakopmund at 10.00 the following morning. Cabins are air-conditioned and the price includes dinner and breakfast.

Getting Around Windhoek & Central Namibia

Since the city centre is compact and easy to get around, it is best explored on foot, especially during rush hours.

By Shared Taxi and Minibus

There is no public transport within the city. Whilst low-cost shared taxis and minibuses serve the purpose rather well, they are mainly used by workers from the townships. These shared taxis have offical drop-off/ collection points close to Wernhil Park Mall and Maerua Mall. They are supposed to follow set routes with flexible stops. The cost between Windhoek town centre and either Katutura or Khomasdal is N$7.50 per person, in either direction. This slightly changes if in another part of town. In most of these cases, if you are taken from the outskirts of town into the centre, you will pay N$7.50 per person but if you are being transported to a suburb (other than the old townships) from the town centre then it will cost N$15 per person. You may get to Katutura and Khomasdal very economically during the day, but it is best avoided at night. The taxi stands are not the best places to be in, neither for women nor men. If you are going to visit a nightclub, take a door-to-door taxi service. In more recent years, some taxi drivers have been connected to crimnal activities such as house robberies, theft and pickpockets, so it is worth being cautious when using this means of transport.

By Taxi

Taxi fares are determined by a meter or calculated by the number of kilometres travelled, although for tourists these are rarely used and you should negotiate and agree the fare before taking the taxi. The largest taxi company is Windhoek Radio Taxis, located near the Grab-a-Phone kiosk and bus terminal (tel: 237070), and a few other dependable companies are White Rhino Taxi (tel: 221029), Prime Radio Taxis (tel: 272307) and Express Taxis (tel: 239739).

By Car

Windhoek is well signposted and easy to navigate. Parking is also straightforward and you'll find metered parking along Independence Avenue near the main Tourist Information Centre. Parking is free after 18.00 Monday to Friday, or after 13.00 on Saturday and you can tip car guards (look for the yellow and orange vests) to keep an eye on your car. Secure and covered parking can be found behind the Kalahari Sands Hotel (turn down Peter Müller/Fidel Castro Street off Independence Avenue, then left into Stübel Street).

For getting around Central Namibia, car is a great option. To head west to the coast you can choose the tarred B2, the C28 and the more southerly C26. Otherwise you could head east to the western edges of the Kalahari, north towards Etosha National Park, or south along the tarred B1.

By Bike

If you are staying in Windhoek west or in Klein Windhoek, biking may be a good way of getting around. You can rent a bike from Le Trip at 39 Wernhill Park or African Cycles.