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Cotonou: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

Cotonou is the seat of government and largest city of Benin. The official city proper population was 679,012 in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.

Cotonou · CC BY-SA 4.0

Map of places
Now in the cityCotonou+28°CPartly cloudy · sunset 06:48 PMupdated 10:59 AM
EntryPick a passportThe answer depends on the passport.
Places on the map8
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Places on the map8

All 8 places as a list
Within two hours

Getting there and staying

Flight, airport, hosts and rent

No free-housing hosts here yet.

2 sources · As of September 18, 2026
Source: TravelHub · OurAirports (public domain)

Visa and practicalities

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Safety and health

Official travel advice and the medical minimum

Safety · official adviceour data as of Sep 15, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Avoid parts of the countryPart of the country is off limits entirely.
Full text

FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of the Alibori and Atacora departments. FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel and all travel to other areas in Benin (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

US State DepartmentLevel 2Watch your surroundings and belongings more closely than usual.
  • crime
  • terrorism
  • kidnapping
Full text

There was no change to the advisory level. The “unrest” risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise Increased Caution in Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice · US Department of State Travel Advisory

Getting here

Airports, distances and public transport

Getting hereOurAirports (public domain)
Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport COO3.9 km from the centre
Murtala Muhammed International Airport LOS103 km from the centre
Lomé–Tokoin International Airport LFW131 km from the centre

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