Destination: Sudan

Getting there

By air

Sudan is well-linked to the rest of the Arab world by its air network. There are also frequent flights to and from neighbouring Kenya in the South.

Sudan is less well-connected to the West, though. Due to sanctions, it is not currently possible to fly direct from the United States to Khartoum. Travellers wishing to make this trip have to fly via an intermediary country – such as Jordan, Dubai or Cairo. Also, there are no direct flights to Sudan from New Zealand, Australia or Canada.

Sudan Airways, the national airline, is the only flight company to offer direct flights to Sudan from London. British Mediterranean Airways (BMED) is a popular choice for getting to Khartoum, but will take you via an intermediary stopping point, such as Jordon.

By water

A popular way of entering and leaving the country is to catch a ferry between Aswan in Egypt and Wadi Halfa in the very north of Sudan. The ferry leaves Aswan on Monday and Wadi Halfa on Wednesday. The overnight crossing takes around 16 hours.

From Port Sudan, it is possible to travel across the Red Sea to Jeddeh in Saudi Arabia, though passenger traffic is not what it used to be. It is rather harder, though, to travel to other destinations on the Red Sea.

Whilst arriving and leaving Sudan via the Nile might seem an attractive idea, this unfortunately is not possible. You can travel up and down the Nile from Khartoum, but only fairly short distances. Travel too far north by boat, and you encounter a series of shallow stretches of water, known as the Nile Cataracts. Head too far south and you enter potentially dangerous territory, where sporadic fighting between rebels and government troops has deterred ferry companies from entering the region for years.

By land

Travelling overland to many destinations outside Sudan can be risky, due to high tension in many parts of the country, and you are strongly advised to contact your country’s embassy for latest travel advice.

In general, roads to the north and to the east are safer than roads leading south or west. The easiest way to enter and leave Sudan by land is via Ethiopia.

Not all borders are open. At present, the border between Sudan and the Central African Republic is closed. The overland crossing to the Democratic Republic of Congo remains dangerous and the overland borders to Egypt are closed. The situation on the border between Sudan and Eritrea remains tense. The same goes for the Ugandan border. Due to its proximity to the troubled region of Darfur, crossing overland to Chad can also be a little risky.

There are no direct bus or train routes from Khartoum to other countries, and therefore, if you wish to travel overland by public transport, it is usually necessary to change at a major city closer to the border.

Buses run from Khartoum to the major transport hubs of Kassala, Port Sudan, Gedarif, Wad Medani and El Obeid – as well as to other destinations.

Driving overland by private vehicle is always an option, but remember that roads outside Khartoum are not always in the best condition and, when it rains, quickly turn to rivers of mud that can become perilous, even for the experienced motorist.