Since the majority of visitors travel in the company of an organised tour operator, transport in Libya is usually taken care of. Otherwise, for longer sightseeing trips, or to travel between towns and popular tourist destinations, a number of transport options are available, including coaches, buses and taxis. Worth noting, there are no train services operating in Libya.
For visitors wishing to explore the Libyan capital city of Tripoli, there's no better way to get to know the city than to take a stroll around on foot. Those who have chosen to hire a car will find that the land borders with Algeria, Chad and Niger are often closed due to political reasons. However, the Egypt border at Amsaad (Imsaad / Musaid), located roughly 140 km / 87 miles to the east of Tobruk (Tubruq), welcomes foreign travellers.
Tripoli International Airport (TIP) / Arriving by Air
Address: Airport Highway, Ben Ghashir, Libya, LY, Africa
Tel: +218 0122 605 026
Located some 34 km / 21 miles from the centre of Tripoli, Libya's main airport operates a variety of international and domestic air services. Afriqiyah Airways, Libyan Airlines and Buraq Air are the principal airlines, flying to an array of destinations, including Alexandria, Algiers, Amsterdam, Athens, Beijing, Brussels, Cairo, Casablanca, Dubai, Dusseldorf, Istanbul, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Lagos, London, Madrid, Malta, Manchester, Milan, N'Djamena, Paris, Rome, Sabha, Sarajevo and Tunis, amongst others cities.
Travelling from the airport into Tripoli itself is straightforward. Visitors can opt for a shared or individual taxi. Those booking through a tour operator can usually take advantage of coach services that run between the airport and most of the larger hotels.
The main airports located in Libya are shown below:
- Benina International Airport (BEN) - Benghazi
- Birak Airport (BCQ) - Birak
- Gardabya Airport (SRX) - Sirt
- Ghadames Airport (LTD) - Ghadames
- Ghat Airport (GHT) - Ghat
- Houn Airport (HUQ) - Houn
- Kufra Airport (AKF) - Kufra
- La Abraq Airport (LAQ) - Al Bayda
- Marsa Brega Airport (LMQ) - Marsa al Burayqah
- Misrata Airport (MRA) - Misrata
- Mitiga Airport (MJI) - Tripoli
- Sabha Airport (SEB) - Sabha
- Tobruk Airport (TOB) - Tobruk
- Tripoli International Airport (TIP) - Tripoli
- Ubari Airport (QUB) - Ubari
- Zwara Airport (WAX) - Zwara
Car Rental
It is possible to hire a car in Libya (air-conditioned 4WDs are preferable), although only from the larger hotels in Tripoli. Always check that the car on offer has been serviced correctly and that you are happy that it is safe to drive. The road between Tripoli and Tunis is in a fairly good state of repair, as is the road from Tobruk to Benghazi. There are a few restricted areas of the country, including the south-easterly Tibesti region. Do be patient when passing through checkpoints.
Book your Tripoli Car Rental here.
Buses and Coaches
Libya operates two major bus companies, which provide short distance and long distance services. Generally, this is a cheap and efficient way of getting around the country, particularly if you are travelling between major African towns and cities, such as Benghazi to Tripoli (approximately 14 hours) and Benghazi to Cairo (around 24 hours).
Taxis
Taxis are available for hire in Libya's cities and larger towns. These are mostly shared vehicles, although it is possible to hire a taxi on an individual basis if necessary. Taxi drivers are known for speeding, and so you may like to remember the words for slow down - 'Shweyah Shweyah'! In general, the black and white taxis are regarded as being the most reliable and safe.
