Benin destination information

All you need to know before visiting Benin

Benin summary

Benin is a medium sized country with around 11M Beninese. Official language is French. Benin uses metric system (kilograms, centimeters, °C). Time zone is UTC+01:00. Currency used in Benin is West African CFA franc (XOF).

🎫 Border Rank #️⃣ 38
🗺️ Passport Rank #️⃣ 167

ATMs in Benin are Rare. Internet speed in Benin is on average 1.1 Mbps. In Benin you drive on the right side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick).

🏙️ Cotonou
🗣️ French
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 11M ☀️ ~28 °C 🌧 ~87 mm 👍 Least Developed 🚩 113k km2 (43k mi²)
🎫 Visa Exemption
🗺️ Passport Strength
📧 Beninese visa Online
🏥 Health regulation
🛃 Customs rules
🏛️ Embassies

General

Socket 🔌

Benin uses 220V, 50Hz with sockets and plugs Type C and Type E.

Languages 🗣️

  • French

Money

Currency 💱

100 XOF = 0.17 USD

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 🏧🏦

Rare

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.

Tipping 💁🏽

Card 💳

Phone

Mobile Phone 📱

Benin uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800.

Roaming 🌐

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 ☎️

International

To call Benin, dial +, then 229 (the country code for Benin), then the area code and the local number.

Locally

For local calls within Benin, start with the area code. In the case above area code is 22 .


international: + 229 22 1234567
calling local: 22 1234567

Internet connection

Internet Speed 💯

Internet speed in Benin is on average 1.1 Mbps.

Wifi 📡

WiFi coverage in Benin is very low. It's quite hard to find one.

SIM Card #️⃣

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.

Driving

Rules 🚗

In Benin you drive on the right side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick).

Limits 🚦

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.

Weather

Temperature 🌡️

Rainfall ☔

Countries nearby Benin


More on Benin travel and visa information

All the informations you need to schedule your trip to Benin.

🎫

Visa Exemption

Check who can come to Benin without visa requirement.

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Passport Strength

Check countries nationals of Benin can visit without visa.

📧

Beninese visa Online

Apply for visa to Benin online.

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Health regulation

Want to visit Benin ? Check health regulation !

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Customs rules

Want to visit Benin ? Check customs regulation !

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LGBT Destination info

Check if Benin is LGBT friendly for travel.

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Beninese embassies

Check list of Benin embassies around the globe !