Africa > 🇱🇾 Libya
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Libya can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Libya; 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 Libya?
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 Libya?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Libya
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Sirt | SRX | |
| Tripoli | TIP |
🚫 Why Renting a Car in Libya Is Not Recommended
👉 1. Security Conditions Change Quickly
Even though some areas occasionally stabilise, conditions shift unpredictably. Checkpoints, local permissions, and regional controls vary from month to month. Foreigners are expected to use registered local drivers, not self-drive rental cars.
👉 2. Car Rentals for Tourists Barely Exist
Although Libya does have cars for hire, they are almost always for local residents or official business use. International-style rental agencies do not operate in the way you would expect, and online booking is essentially impossible.
👉 3. Navigation and Road Controls Are Challenging
Roadblocks, military zones, and restricted highways require local knowledge. Even with GPS, you cannot move freely between cities without approvals. Because of this, a guided driver is not only safer but also required in most regions.
🚌 How Travellers Usually Get Around
👉 Private Drivers & Fixers
The only realistic way to travel between cities such as Tripoli, Misrata, or Sabha is with a local driver who knows the current situation. It’s standard, expected, and safer than driving yourself.
👉 Domestic Flights
Flights operate irregularly but remain the easiest way to cover long distances. When routes between Tripoli, Benghazi, or southern towns are active, they dramatically reduce road travel risks.
👉 Organised Trips
If tourism resumes in a meaningful way, it will almost certainly be via escorted tours to major archaeological sites such as:
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Leptis Magna
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Sabratha
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Cyrene
These sites are extraordinary, but they are only accessible with approved guides right now.
🚘 When Might a Car Be Used?
Only in situations where:
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You are resident in Libya
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You have local authorisation
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You are travelling with a Libyan driver
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Your organisation provides the vehicle
For tourists, this does not translate into renting a car yourself.
⚠️ Practical Notes for Any Travel to Libya
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Entry often requires prior permission, not just a visa.
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Independent movement is restricted; expect checkpoints.
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Insurance for self-drive rentals is not available.
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Some roads are in poor condition after years of conflict.
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Photography of infrastructure or military areas is prohibited.
For these reasons, even adventurous travellers avoid self-driving here.
Summary — Should you rent a car in Libya? 🏁
➡️ No.
- Libya is not currently a self-drive destination. A rental car is neither practical nor safe, and travellers overwhelmingly use local drivers, domestic flights, or organised tours.
- If conditions change in the future, Libya’s history and landscapes could make it an exceptional destination — but for now, no independent car rental is recommended.
