Yaoundé Nsimalen Airport serves the political capital of Cameroon, situated on hills inland, approximately 20 km from downtown.
It is the country's second-busiest airport after Douala, a gateway for visitors with institutional or diplomatic business in the capital.
How to get to Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to NSI
Parking near Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport
The compact parking is a short distance from the terminal.
It is unsupervised; rates are not published online but are generally modest: verify the amount at the cashier.
How to get to Yaoundé from NSI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
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Car rental at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport
Some international and local car rental operators are present in the arrivals area, generally offering the service with a driver included rather than self-drive.
Bring your driver's licence, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required.
Hotels near Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport
Between the airport and the centre
About 8-12 km from the airport, 20-22 minutes by car according to the source; the centre of Yaoundé remains about 12 km further on.
Best for: Those who want to cut the journey from the airport without giving up a hotel with full facilities.
- Closer to the airport than the properties in the city centre
- Free private parking and an in-house restaurant, convenient without having to go out in the evening
- It is still not just minutes from the terminal: a good 20 minutes by car remain
- A residential area with little else in the immediate surroundings besides the hotel
City centre
About 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from Yaoundé's central station; from Nsimalen airport the journey is 25-30 km, 30-40 minutes by car.
Best for: Those who want restaurants and city life close at hand and accept the longer transfer from the airport.
- Just steps from the central station, convenient for those also travelling by train within the country
- Location rated 9.2/10 in reviews, among the highest for this aspect in Yaoundé
- The journey from the airport is the longest among the city's areas, worth considering for short stopovers
- Pool open only seasonally, to be checked according to the time of the stay
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is adequately sized for the capital's traffic. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10 minutes.
Customs and security controls may take longer than expected: it is better to arrive with at least 3 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why is Yaoundé called the 'city of seven hills'?
Because of its geography, built on hilly terrain that offers several panoramic viewpoints over the city, unlike the flatter, coastal Douala.
Q. Is Yaoundé safer than Douala?
Both cities fall within the belt of central regions generally reasonably safe with normal precautions; the areas to avoid are elsewhere, in the English-speaking Northwest/Southwest and the far north.
Q. Is Yaoundé connected to Douala by train?
Yes, via the Camrail network, but not with a direct connection from the airport: you first need to reach the station in the city centre.
Q. Do I need a visa for Cameroon when arriving in Yaoundé?
The same rules apply to all entries into the country: a visa is mandatory for almost all nationalities, obtainable online or at an embassy.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights