Arrival and Airports

Urban Transport

• Tap-Tap: Colorful Haitian minibuses and pickup trucks for passengers, cheap but crowded and without fixed stops—generally not recommended for tourists.
• Motorcycle taxis: Common for short trips, fast but risky.
• Taxis: Usually negotiated by price, vehicles arranged by reputable hotels or institutions are more reliable.

Inter-City Travel

• Domestic flights: Carriers like Sunrise Airways operate flights between the capital and Cap-Haïtien, a key way to avoid long overland journeys.
• Long-distance buses: Passenger buses are available, but road conditions and safety concerns make overland travel risky.
• Ferries: Some ferry services are available on coastal and island routes, but schedules are weather-dependent.

Safety Tips

• It is strongly recommended to arrange vehicles and drivers through professional agencies—avoid using unofficial transport.
• Book airport transfers in advance to avoid long waits outside the terminal.
• Avoid all forms of inter-city travel at night. Carry copies of your ID and emergency contact information.

Tickets and Useful Tools

Haiti does not have a unified national transportation card. Flights, ferries, and private transfers usually need to be booked through airlines, ports, or travel agencies. Due to unreliable internet and power supply, online ticketing and digital payments are not widely used. It’s advisable to pay in cash in advance and keep receipts. Offline maps and translation apps can be helpful, but do not rely too heavily on real-time navigation. It’s best to confirm travel information directly with your hotel, agency, or a local contact.

Self-Drive and Private Car Hire

Self-driving in Haiti is not recommended due to poor road conditions, limited signage, chaotic traffic, and high security risks. A safer alternative is to hire a vehicle with a local driver through a professional agency, arranging daily rates and clearly defining the itinerary and waiting times. In all cases, avoid nighttime travel, prolonged stops on the roadside, and maintain contact with your agency at all times.

Safety Information

Haiti’s public transport and unofficial vehicles carry higher risks, and it is strongly advised not to use them independently. Even when using vehicles arranged by agencies, confirm the license plate, driver, and route before getting in, and inform your contacts of your travel plans. Be especially cautious with personal belongings in areas near airports, markets, and crowded places. Do not leave bags in visible areas inside vehicles. Avoid stopping or staying overnight on remote or isolated roads at any time—it is better to postpone your journey than to take unnecessary risks.