Up until Thursday Night last week, I was not sure I was going to head from lagos to cotonou by road for the weekend. However, I spent last weekend in C-Town without any previous plans. I really just went with the flow. Again just like I did here, I traveled from Lagos to Cotonou by road. It was really the same procedure only this time, I went through the border posts to have my passport stamped and caused a bit of drama 
.
The Immigration Officers on the Nigeria side had asked my friend for money because it was his first time through the Seme border post, and I definitely was not having any of that. What really set me blazing was the attitude. Stamping is free. No officer should be asking anyone for money, and even if you would, approach matters, the officer came at us like he had a right to ask for money and that was when I went livid.
My Friend ended up having his passports stamped without paying, however, we paid with loss of time and a lot of talk. I would like that more people stand firm against the exploitation and corruption going on at the borders. Our Lagos to Cotonou by road trip took about 7hours from when we set out at about 3PM, this was mostly because of traffic and unnecessary stops, hence Friday after work might not be such a good time to head from Lagos to Cotonou by Road. I must point out that despite the fact that we traveled late, I didn’t feel the least bit unsafe.
By way of update from my previous post, transportation time from Seme Border to Mile 2 took over 3 hours, I am guessing this was because we hadn’t set out early. Also the transportation price now ranges from 800Naira which we paid for our Bus trip to 2,000 which you could potentially be paying for a taxi. I must say that the bus was mostly uncomfortable and if you can afford it, you should go by Taxi Instead.
Price Breakdown Per Person
Outbound
| Boarding | Destination | Price |
| Obalende | Oshodi | N150 (Bus) |
| Oshodi | Mile 2 | N150 (Bus) |
| Mile 2 | Seme | N800 (Bus) |
| Seme | Tokpa Market (Cotonou) | CFA 1000 (Shared SUV) |
| Tokpa Market | Accommodation | CFA 200 |
Inbound
| Boarding | Destination | Price |
| Accommodation | Tokpa Market | CFA 250 |
| Tokpa Market | Seme | CFA 1000 (Shared Taxi) |
| Seme | Mile 2 | N1500 (Shared Taxi) |
| Mile 2 | CMS | N150 |
Cotonou was fun, from partying at a local bar, trying new beer and vibing to almost solely french music,
To holding up conversions conveniently in french, long walks at about 1am, dancing on the streets at 3am, swimming in a salt water pool, sun, sand and sea vibes on the beach.
To skeptically trying new food, surviving on what we could comfortably get down our throats, to finally getting some food we ate without reservations.
To goofing around in the hot weather and taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
To discovering there might be a difference between Piment and Poivre, two french words which I previously thought could be used interchangeably to mean Pepper in English, to learning new words and lastly making new friends (Fabrice, Abu and especially Dimitrie who went all out for us).
If you found this useful, I would totally love to know in the comment section. If you have any questions, Do not hesitate to ask. Want to keep up with my travels real time? Go check out my Instagram
47 Comments
Nice one!
Thanks
Thanks for reading Ridwan. Hopefully we’d be headed somewhere together soon.
My city ?. Miss this city and can’t wait to go back before heading to Togo for the first time. Thanks for sharing your experience, I usually take the idi-iroko border route as it’s of lesser hassle compared to seme border. Got the link from Uche Kayode’s WhatsApp status by the way.
Lol…Are you from Cotonu? I also have plans to head out to Togo sometime soon.
No I’m Nigerian. Just got back from Togo and Lomé is such a beautiful city. You should definitely visit soon.
Hi Ariyo, I also visited Lome about a year ago. I intend to visit again sometimes soon.
Good morning Anu, I have found your article quite interesting. I do have a few questions, maybe you might be of help. While going through your Itinerary, and also reading through your comment section, I noticed that you wrote in one of your articles that you travel to Cotonou through Mile2 and in another article you said you to Cotonou through Mile 12, so which is it really and whats the fastest route that’s hassle free? I also noticed that one of your commenters said it is easier traveling through idi-iroko border route. I am a first-time traveler to Cotonou of course and I intend traveling there these weekend but unsure how to Navigate from MMIA since I will be landing Nigeria at 11pm at night and would love to head out there immediately. Please advice if its safer to spend the night in nigeria before I begin my journey to Cotonou and what route is safest and quickest to to get to Cotonou. Also Do I need to bring along my Yellow card ? Is it Mandatory to get a Stamp at the Border post ? Thank you in advance.
Hi Duke, I will respond to this as comprehensive as I can. If i leave any thing out, please let me know. The route is MILE 2. I made a mistake and would correct it to consistently read MILE 2. I have not been through the Idiroko border and I do not have much to say on it. My parents have been there and I will ask and revert on how the route is. However that is the route for smuggling of cars and I do not recommend it. Also considering that you will be landing at MMIA, Seme border is a better choice. I will advise you find a hotel or Airbnb to spend the Night close to the Airport in Ikeja, then find your way to Seme as early as possible. The road leading out is extremely bad due to the raining season and there is a lot of traffic. Please head out as early as possible. It is safer and better to take your yellow card. This is to avoid extortion on the route. It is NOT mandatory to get a border stamp. You can travel with mere Identification. When you get to the last stop. You can just take a bike for 5ooNaira across the border.
Good morning ARIYO, so it seems like you have experienced traveling to Cotonou more than once. What was your experience whilst traveling to Cotonou from the Seme Border compared to the Idi iroko border route? Please If I was to travel from the Airport in Ikeja Lagos, what’s the best route to follow and what’s the travel time? Do I have to present my passport at the border post for stamping plus a Yellow card? Also is it best to have the CFA currency handy or best to travel with other currency or just my Debit cards? Please advise. Thank you
While Ariyo is also responding, it is better to take cash and change at the border. As at Friday 28th June 2019. 1000 Naira was changed for me at 1610 Cefa, this can be more depending on your bargaining skills. I arrived Cotonou at 11pm and couldn’t be bothered with hassling. Upon getting into Cotonou, your Naira devaluates and exchange rate is lesser.
Hi Anu, thank you for your speedy response. So I did check out Air BnB on the internet as I have used them quite a bit on my Journeys around Europe, and the experience I have gained with Air Bnb Is that some Landlords can be from HELL and make your entire Vacation a terrible one as compared to A Hotel Experience.
1. That said, racism played a big part in my bitter experience with Air BnB. I have no Idea how the Beninoise people treat their guests so I am a little bit apprehensive, hence I would like to get your candid opinion while putting cost into consideration, is there a difference to getting an Air Bnb as to Staying in a Hotel ??
2. I noticed in your email, you mentioned, exchanging the Niara to the Cefa before entering Rep Benin because it will devaluate upon arrival, does this also apply to the Dollar? Do I get a better Value for money if I take dollar into the country and have it exchanged to the local currency? Please Advise.
3. My flight into Nigeria Arrives a little past midnight, is it advisable to begin my Journey to Benin after midnight in order to save up cost of Hotel in Nigeria and also to beat the hellish morning traffic in and around the Ikeja Area or is it not safe to journey at night, and will I get transportation to the Border in those hours of the night? Are there any miscreants I should watch out for around the Border? Anything particular I should be watchful for ?? Thank you very much for your time and I await your response.
Hi Ariyo, can you please explain how you go about the route through Idi-Iroko? Thanks in advance.
Hi LO, pls don’t hesitate to share with us when you make the trip through Idi Iroko
Nice one Anu,I like this more so cause of the break down,you are a real life saver
Thank you so much for this post AE. Very helpful! I will be visiting next month, i hope to find any travel buddy willing to join also . Holla
Hy will be visiting too
Buh in DEC
Great, safe trip.
How and where do you get accommodation in Tokpa market please?
I am planning travelling to Cotonou but not sure of how much to prepare for accommodation for three days.
Hi Seyi, I didnt get accommodation in Tokpa Market. I have sent you an AIRBNB Link via email. When you sign up, you can checkout accommodation depending on you budget.
Hi AE. Your detailed breakdown is a life saver! Thank you. I intend to visit Cotonue first week of September, spend a few days (3 days) and head to Lome for another 3 days before coming back to Nigeria.
I am trying to see how the cost implication is and I even though straightforward, I am still a little confused with the cost of your accomodation. Your breakdown said 250CFA at Tokpa Market, is this correct? You also said you booked via airBNB, I will love to have a link as well.
Thanks.
Hi Tokpa, I will send you the Airbnb link shortly, however what I meant was the cost of Transportation fro Tokpa Market to our Accommodation (Airbnb) was 250CFA not the Accommodation itself.
Please Ariyo, can we private chat or can i call you? I want to have a family vacation this December and prefer an african country. Maybe you can be of help. Number is +2348073925638. You can whatsapp it too.
Please Sir, its a bit urgent, help a friend
Thanks.
I’m a Ma not a Sir ?. I’ll reachout shortly
Hello, please are there direct buses/cabs from Mile2 to Ouidah? or must someone get to Seme then connect Ouidah?
Hi Teslim, I’ve not tried this so I do not know for sure but there should be. Let me know if you eventually do
Hey Anyu
Thanks for this amazing piece, I enjoyed reading it. i saw on your Instagram best places to stay in cotonou, could you please send an air bnb link for me to choose. Also could you share places you visited and things to do in cotonou please?
Because after this corona madness, i plan to leave my life and start travelling by starting small instead of waiting for the money for the big trips. please help me ?
THANKS
Lol…Hi Topshay! Nice move. YOLO Yeah! I also intend to travel more when all of these is over. Use my link to get at least $20 off your first booking
https://www.airbnb.com/c/anuo121?currency=USD. Also Airbnb allows you to filter the homes by price. Put in your budgeted amount and you will get options within that price range. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks Anu for the reply , please what are things you can do in Cotonou , places you can go also ? I didn’t find a piece of information about that on your site . Thank you
Hi Temitope, I have a blogpost on it, if you search Cotonou, you’ll find it
Actually everything I see here is awesome, from the topics to the comments I love it.
My travel experience to Benin republic was easy but funny and full of dramas for the fact that I can’t speak French as well as the use of quoins money, unlike in Nigeria. Is an experience I often laugh at whenever I remember.
That was a time I get to understand that English is sometimes useless. I went through the Idiroko Border and I took the back door as a radical Nigerian instead of following the due process lol.
Lol…How was the Idiroko border? I’ve never been to Benin through that route but my parents have. How did it go?
I didn’t go through the border post neither did I took bike, even though there are bike men around that cross people through the back route for a certain fee, ranging from 1k to 1500. A friend connect me with someone who reside at the border, we trek through the garage linking the back route down to Igolo the Benin side, even though there is presence of security personnels as well as area boys from both countries with several stick mounted gates, collecting money randomly, from #50 #100 or #200, is advisable one should just pay the bike men to avoid the stress and paying higher since that route doesn’t have anything to do with passport. I didn’t pay anything though, because they all know my guy and he speaks their languages.
I gain more knowledge. After changing my naira to cefa, I enter motor from Igolo to Tokpa in Cotonou 1500cefa, they even collect 2000cf from others because transport fare was at the high side that time, due to fuel scarcity bedeviling them as a result of Nigerian border closure, because they rely on Nigeria for fuel. I returned same day through same route.
Anu I intend on traveling to Cotonou on the 27th of June to catch a flight from COO. Can you suggest a decent hotel near the airport where I can stay and what are the price range. This will be my first time. How do I navigate the border crossing. Your advice will most appreciated
Hi Micheal, you can check booking.com or aibnb.com for a place to stay. I am not familiar with hotels at the airport. My post pretty much says it all. Just be prepared to part with some money or be subject to delays, in the alternative just take a hike across
Hi Micheal, were you able to get to cotonou and how were you able to navigate the border crossing. Can we please chat more on WhatsApp, you can chat me on 08068762816, I’m also planning to follow this your path soon. I will appreciate your urgent response. Thank you
Have you gotten anything planned will me doing so as well this August.
Hi, this is very helpful and TIMELY
I intend travelling to Cotonou in few days time and I’ve been searching online for assistance and information, especially about the stamping and yellow fever card. Also to know if it’s possible to go without chattering a cab.
Can I please speak with you AE
My number +234 704 634 5921 is available on WhatsApp and call.
Hoping to hear from you
Hi Cerebra,it has been a little over a year since I travelled to Cotonu. I’ve heard things have changed due to the Covid situation. I prefer communication be email. I’ll send an Email shortly
Can I chat you up, where you able to get info an how to get accross I will be doing the same journey this August
Hi
I intend to go by mid November but I am lost because I want to have my passport stamped
What and what do i have to do??
Has anyone bin there since Covid19 started??
How much should i budget for 2 people for about 2/3nights?
At what point will myself and my partner get our passport stamped??
And please give suggestions of hotels that can be easily accessible
Thank you
HI Adunni, you get your passport stamped at the border. I havent been there since Covid, I used Airbnb. You can budget at least N50K
Please help i want to go to bokinafaso through cotonou,please is there anyway i can book a bus and also price of hotel in case i miss my bus,please help
Hi Mart, there are Buses from Cotonu to Ouaga, TSR and TVC. Check out my blogpost here . I will recommedn you leave Lagos early, I didnt stay ina hotel in Cotonu, I cant really give prices.
Hi Anu,,,what are the document needed to travel down to Cotonou…wanna go there to hustle,,,tired of this fucking so called Nigeria,,,I should be holding like how much?
Hi Davis, apologies for the late response, it has been a while I’ve been to Cotonu. I’m thinking things will be a lot more intense now due to Covid. When I went I had my international passport and my yellow card with me . Living and working there is entirely different as I was only there for a bit but note, Cotonou is definitely more expensive that Nigeria so be prepared.
Hi Anu,,,,,, i wanna travel to cotonou from lagos by road i really want to be sure if i can get a bus from mile 2 to seme border and i want to know if the border is now opened,pls chat me up on wasap 07013067108 i will be looking forward to your reply thanks in advance
Hi Shukurat, Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Cotonou in about 2 years so I don not have updated information.