Transportation in Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou moves on shared taxis and motorcycle taxis. The green-and-white shared taxis cram four passengers across the back seat and follow fixed routes for a fraction of a private taxi fare. Motorcycle taxis, called "zemidjans," weave through traffic fastest but require haggling. Agree the price before you swing a leg over. Private taxis are the comfort option, look for the red license plate. But they rarely use meters, so settle the fare before the door shuts. First-timers should download the Yango app before arriving. It shows real fares and spares you the roadside negotiation dance. Avoid the station-area taxi touts who quote "tourist prices", walk 100 meters up the street and flag a moving taxi instead. The airport sits 5 km northeast of downtown. The official taxi rank outside arrivals is your only reliable ride, and the fare is typically a splurge compared to city rates. Skip the unmarked cars inside the terminal, they're the classic trap.