Travel to Mozambique

The national airline is LAM-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM) (website: www.lam.co.mz).

From London to Maputo is 14 hours, including stopover in Johannesburg or Lisbon.

Maputo International (MPM) (Maputo) (website: www.aeroportos.co.mz) is 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services run to the centre (journey time – 15 minutes). Facilities: Bank, restaurant, bar, snack bar, car hire and post office.

Beira (BEW) is 13km (8 miles) from the city (journey time – 15 minutes). Facilities: Restaurant, shops and post office.

Nampula (APL) is 4km (2.5 miles) east of the city. Facilities: Car hire, shops and cafe.

US$20 if destination is outside Africa; US$10 if destination is within Africa.

British, European, American, Japanese and South African cargo vessels call at Maputo and Beira, but there are no regular passenger services.

A train runs from Johannesburg to the Mozambique border at Ressano Garcia where there is a connection to Maputo (journey time – 15 hours). An overnight train runs regularly from Durban to Maputo. There is a service from Harare to Beira. There should be connections from Malawi to Beira in future (although the border still has to be crossed on foot). Rail services are sometimes sporadic and unreliable.

There are good road links with all neighbouring countries except Tanzania (which will only become accessible upon completion of the Unity Bridge, estimated to be finished in late 2008). However, road travel can be dangerous and should only be undertaken in daylight. Hijacking and robberies are rife and travellers should be aware of the possiblilty of unexploded landmines on the lesser-used roads. 

There is a regular bus service from Maputo to Johannesburg, and there are good bus links to other South African cities. Minibuses run between Maputo and towns in Swaziland, crossing the border at Namaacha.

For further information about entry requirements and routes for border crossing, contact the high commission (see Contact Addresses).