Benin travel details
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Benin has a population of 11M with main currency as West African CFA Franc. The languages spoken are French. Benin travel safety advice is Exercise a high degree of caution. Automatic teller machines are rare in Benin. Internet speed in Benin is on average 1.1 Mbps.In Benin you drive on the right side.
Benin travel advice
⬤ Exercise a high degree of caution
We’ve reviewed our advice for Benin and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution overall due to the threat of violent crime.
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Benin overall due to the threat of violent crime.
Higher levels apply in some areas.
Issue Date : Apr 9, 2024
Benin weather
Benin essential details
Plugs
Benin uses 220V, 50Hz with sockets and plugs Type C and Type E.
Languages
The languages that are typically spoken are French
Money in Benin
Currencies
Benin uses the West African CFA franc (symbol: Fr), code XOF.Banknotes come in denominations of 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500 francs. Franc is subdivided into 100 centimes. Coins come in denominations of 500, 250, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 francs.
ATM
Automatic teller machines are rare in Benin. Your best bet is to look for them in large cities and community places.You do not need a chip & PIN card to use an ATM — your standard magnetic card will work fine.
Internet in Benin
Internet
Internet speed in Benin is on average 1.1 Mbps. WiFi coverage in Benin is very low. It's quite hard to find one.
Phones
You can buy a SIM card for about 7,902.62 XOF, which includes 1 GB of data plan. You can choose from 4 telecoms: BBcom, Glo, MTN or Moov. Benin uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800. If you don't want to buy SIM card in Benin upon arrival, make sure to check the roaming charges with your telecom provider before your departure so there are no surprises when you return home.
Calling
To call Benin, dial +, then 229 (the country code for Benin), then the area code and the local number. For local calls within Benin, start with the area code. In the case above area code is 22 .
Benin travel details
Driving in Benin
Road rules
In Benin you drive on the right side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick). Unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for cars and motorcycles are as follows: 50 km/h (31 mph) in all built-up areas, 90 km/h (55 mph) on undivided highways, 90 km/h (55 mph) on motorways and 90 km/h (55 mph) on expressways.
Benin map
Benin visa advice
If you're considering exploring Benin beyond the usual transit spots, our comprehensive guide on Benin transit visa offers deeper insights and broader options for travelers of different nationalities. For those transiting through other countries en route to Benin, understanding Benin Transit Visa requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.