The best ways to travel around in Lagos, Nigeria

Getting around West Africa’s most populous city can be an adventure in itself.

Residents of Lagos rely heavily on road transportation to get to the office, worship centers, markets, parties, beaches – you name it. Imagine at least 10 million residents crisscrossing the city daily and you’ll get a sense of how rowdy things can get.

To lessen the pressure on the city’s stressed road infrastructure, the state is investing in an integrated public transport system that includes ferries and trams. Work is also ongoing on the city’s light-rail system, with the Blue Line section expected to be operational in spring of 2023.

As the transportation options continue to grow, here are the best ways to get around Lagos.

You'll see danfo on the go everywhere in Lagos

In addition to private vehicles, commercial buses called danfo are the driving force of regulated public transportation. They power commuting in and around Lagos, complemented by taxis (yellow cabs) and are on the go everywhere, taking turns to pick up passengers in garages, designated motor parks, roadsides, lay-bys and bus stops. Lagosians hail and board them at all these places, and the routes have fixed prices. Typically, conductors collect the fares as soon as the bus is on the move; at other times, passengers pay just before they get off at a bus stop. If you don't have the exact fare, you can pay with a higher Naira note of a higher denomination and receive change from the conductor.

Shuttle around neighborhoods in rickshaws

Three-wheeled motorized rickshaws (kekes), introduced to the city’s transport mix more than 20 years ago, are great for neighborhood shuttles. Motorcycles (okadas) have been the go-to options for Lagosians pressed for time, but in an effort to reduce road accidents they have been banned in some districts and on major highways.

Ride a bus for a broad view of the cityscape

The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system allows hundreds of high-capacity buses to zoom down dedicated lanes in the metropolitan area. While not offered within the core Lekki–Victoria Island–Ikoyi perimeter, where many visitors stay, the BRT is a great way to catch a glimpse of the city and its many neighborhoods on the other side of the lagoon, preferably during the day. The buses provide free wi-fi and all the seats have USB phone-charging ports, which is a plus in a city where 24-hour electricity is not guaranteed.

Planning tip: You’ll need a Cowry card to board the BRT. These are available at all terminals and can be topped up at onsite kiosks. Not all departures are timed, so prepare to wait 20 to 40 minutes (and sometimes more than an hour) for the next one. Depending on distance, rides are priced between N250 and N600.

There are several ride-hailing options

Ride-hailing services have become a fixture of everyday commuting in Lagos, and Lagosians have fully embraced them. Uber launched in July 2013, and it has since been joined by Bolt and inDriver. A few homegrown options – like Rida Nigeria and Shuttlers – have also made inroads.

Depending on where you are in the city and the time of day, drivers can take anywhere between five and 25 mins to pick you up. A trip lasting under an hour should run you about N1500.

Launched earlier in 2022, Lagos Ride is a new ride-hailing service established by the state government. The aim is partly to ease out old, rickety commercial cabs and replace them with hundreds of new vehicles, each with security features including a dashboard camera and panic button.

Riding a bike is becoming a popular alternative to cars

Bicycles are common sights on Lagos Island, particularly on weekends when traffic is less. While there are no dedicated bike lanes, there is an emerging bicycling community. Lagos City Cyclers hosts frequent group rides around the city, and the occasional cycling classes for beginners.

AWA Bike calls itself “Nigeria’s first bike sharing and lifestyle app” – and its founders strive to help commuters make the switch from cars to bicycles. AWA Bike has caught with youthful Lagosians and on campuses, with stations at Pan Atlantic University, Redeemer’s University and Lagos State University.

Get a scenic view of the city on a ferry

One of the most delightful rides anyone can have in Lagos is a boat cruise from Badagry to Epe, respectively at the western and eastern ends of the state. Lasting roughly 90 minutes, this tour reveals a scenic side of the city often not always visible from land.

Lagos is mapping multiple waterway routes as the government continues to develop aquatic public-transport options. To get a feel for what’s afoot, visit the Five Cowries terminal of the Lagos Ferry Services in Falomo. For the moment, the service receives a large chunk of its traffic from residents in Ikorodu who travel back and forth to the Island for work. From Five Cowries, passengers can ride to several other locations including Badore.

Peak boarding times are between 6:30am and 9am, and 3:30pm and 5pm (the waterways close at 6pm). Trips cost N1000 on average, and you’ll need a Cowry card to get on the boats. When completed, the ferry terminal will service key routes on the West, North and East lines linking the Island to far-off Mainland areas including Badagry, Mile 2 and Apapa.

For a trip to a beach house, hire a private boat

Lagos is experiencing a boom in private beaches, with new houses and resorts popping up along the coastline in places like Ilashe, Ajah and Lakowe. They join a long list of established spots that cater to a rising demand for weekend staycations across the city. And the way Lagosians prefer to reach them is by private boats.

More private-boating companies than ever now ply the Lagos waters. At the CMS terminal, locally fitted speedboats ferry fun seekers to the famous Tarkwa Bay beach. For advice on booking, visit the Five Cowries terminal, or contact Lagos Ferry Services.

Local fishers prefer traditional boats

With water taking up a full quarter of Lagos’ footprint, river communities abound, from Epe and Badagry to Ikorodu and Badore. Dugout canoes have served these settlements for centuries, especially for everyday necessities like fishing trips. From the Third Mainland Bridge on most mornings, you can see these craft setting out on fishing trips.

Makoko, with its stilt houses on the Lagos lagoon, is quite popular with foreign visitors and international agencies; one of the pleasures of visiting is seeing everyday buying and selling happening on canoes, paddled from house to house. Local, self-appointed guides can take you on a walking tour of the community and arrange for you to have a boat ride to join in.