Public Transport in Mozambique
Trains, planes and auto-mobiles. Mozambique is a long stretched out country and getting from Maputo to Pemba can be a challenge. But that's much easier than getting from Ilha de Moçambique to the Malawi border. Check out our tips below.
TRAINS
BUSES
PLANES & BOATS
Nampula - Cuamba Train
Nampula to Cuamba
Departure: 04h00 (check-in at 03h00)
Tuesdays and Saturdays
2nd and 3rd Class - 210mtn (avoid)
Executive Class - 400 mtn
Recommended that you arrive in Nampula day before to purchase your ticket b/w 16h00-17h00
Cuamba to Nampula
Departure: 05h00 (check-in at 04h00)
Thursdays and Sundays
2nd and 3rd Class - 210mtn (avoid)
Executive Class - 400 mtn
Recommended that you arrive in Cuamba day before to purchase your ticket b/w 16h00-17h00
No trains on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays
Buses and Chapas
WARNING: Chapas (small minivans) are extremely uncomfortable and very dangerous so should be avoided. If you are patient there is essentially always a bus that will do the same trip. Chapas will always charge extra for luggage.
Boat to Madagascar
Our most frequently asked question is "Can I get to Madagascar from Mozambique by boat?" Quick answer NO, you cannot get to or from Madagascar to Mozambique by boat, unless perhaps you buy one and go yourself. And no, there is essentially no trade between Madagascar and Mozambique so there's no hope of jumping a cargo ship. There do exist cruise ships that do this route but the high cost rare crossings make this option mostly unfeasible.
For more information call the Nampula CFM office on +258 2621 2032. Attendant usually knows a small amount of English.
How can I get from Maputo to Tofo?
Maputo to Tofo (Chapa)
Departure: Constant - early morning better
Location: Junta
Time: 8-9 hours
Changes: Inhambane City or Maxixe
Many people choose to take the "Fatima's" Shuttle which is just the normal Inhambane City chapa but it picks you up at your accommodation rather than you having to get a tuk-tuk (tchopela) or taxi to Junta and will take you all the way to Tofo.
Maputo to Tofo (Bus)
Departure: 05h00
Location: Etrago Office
Time: ~8 hours
Changes: Direct to Inhambane
City - bus to Tofo
Etrago bus is now the most popular option, only 800mtn for the ticket, AC and WC on bus. You can prebook your tickets through info@mozambicanhotels.com
Maputo to Vilanculos (Chapa or Bus)
Departure: Constant - early morning better (6am)
Location: Junta
Time: 10 hours
Cost: 1000 mtn (They may try to charge you for luggage)
Changes: None (many buses now go all the way to Vilanculos town, if not you need to get off at Pambara and catch another chapa for the remaining 15km)
Maputo to Durban (Bus)
Departure: Tuesdays and Fridays
Location: Av. Z. Manganhela (Baixa -bottom of Tunduru Park)
Time: ~10 hours
Cost: R380
Changes: Direct Bus
The name of the Bus Service is Luciano Transport, it returns Durban to Maputo on Wednesday and Sundays
More questions? Email us on info@mozambicanhotels.com
Boat to Ibo Island
Flying
Flying Internally
LAM is Mozambique's only major airline. As with all monopolies expect your wallet to get hit pretty hard. A Maputo - Pemba Return flight costs about the same as a Johannesburg Return flight to anywhere in Europe.
Having said that, if you are challenged for time doing the Maputo - Inhambane - Vilanculos - Maputo round trip is not bad value. Also, getting from Beira to Nampula is arduous by buses.
Sometimes the LAM online booking service works: www.lam.co.mz/en
There are other smaller airlines in Mozambique mostly used for connecting major towns with islands (CFA)
Getting to Mozambique
The following Airlines fly into Maputo:
LAM
Airlink
South African Airways
TAP
Ethiopia Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique
Qatar Airways
The following Airlines fly into Inhambane:
LAM
The following Airlines fly into Vilanculos:
LAM
Airlink
Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique
The following Airlines fly into Beira:
LAM
Airlink
Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique
The following Airlines fly into Nampula:
Airlink
LAM
Kenya Airways
Air Malawi
Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique
The following Airlines fly into Pemba:
Airlink
LAM
South African Airways
Kenya Airways
The following Airlines fly into Tete:
Airlink
LAM
Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique
DISCLAIMER: things change