Africa > Cameroon > Yaoundé (NSI)
The Car or no Car advice for Yaoundé can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Yaoundé ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Yaoundé ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Yaoundé?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
📍 Getting Around Yaoundé — the Reality
Yaoundé is large, hilly, and decentralised.
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Government districts, embassies, and neighbourhoods are widely spaced
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Distances are long even between central areas
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Heat and humidity make walking impractical
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Traffic congestion is common at peak times
The city is not designed for pedestrian-first movement.
🚌 Public Transport: Informal and Local
Public transport exists but is not visitor-friendly.
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Minibuses and shared taxis dominate
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Routes are informal and poorly signposted
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Little fixed scheduling or mapping
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Best suited to residents who know the system
Most visitors avoid relying on public transport alone.
🚕 Taxis Are the Default Option
For visitors without a car, taxis fill the gap.
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Widely available and affordable
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Practical for point-to-point travel
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Often the easiest way to move around
However, frequent taxi use can become inefficient for busy itineraries.
🚗 Why Renting a Car Can Make Sense
A rental car provides control and comfort.
A car is useful for:
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Moving between distant districts efficiently
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Avoiding repeated taxi negotiations
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Visiting sites outside the city
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Travelling in air-conditioned comfort
Many visitors choose a car with driver, which removes navigation stress.
🌍 Yaoundé as a National Hub
Yaoundé often functions as a base rather than a destination.
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Travel to nearby towns and regions
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Administrative or business-focused visits
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Journeys where public transport quickly thins out
In these cases, private transport becomes essential.
⚠️ Practical Considerations
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Traffic can be heavy and unpredictable
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Driving standards vary
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Parking is informal in many areas
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Rental availability is reasonable but not huge
Driving is feasible, but confidence and patience help.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Yaoundé?
Yes — unless you’re happy relying entirely on taxis.
Yaoundé is not walkable at scale, and public transport isn’t geared toward visitors. A rental car, often with a driver, offers flexibility and reduces friction in a large, spread-out capital.
