Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Since the lifting of UN sanctions, international flights to Libya have slowly been increasing. British Airways were the first off the blocks, with Royal Jordanian close behind. In addition, Afrigayah, Lufthansa, Alitalia, EgyptAir, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Olympic Airways are now helping connect Tripoli with most of the Arab capitals and with Europe and the Far East. A car ferry operated by the Libyan government shipping line did sail regularly from Tripoli to Malta and several Italian ports but has been cancelled indefinitely by the government.

Although the land border with Chad is open and there are reliable connections by truck, only Libyan and Chadian nationals are allowed to make the crossing. The same story applies at the Sudanese border. If you're heading to or arriving from Egypt or Tunisia, buses and shared taxis are your only options. The fares are low, but the driving can be erratic.

Getting around

Libyan Arab Airlines and Al-Buraq Air each have two flights daily between Tripoli and Benghazi. Libyan Arab Airlines also has a daily flight from Tripoli to Sebha and twice-weekly flights to Ghat. Flights from Benghazi to Sebha (daily) and Kufra are also available. All internal flights are prone to unexpected delays and cancellations. There's also been no railroad in operation since 1965, and all the systems of yesteryear have since been dismantled. (Libya recently announced plans to construct a rail network with the assistance of China. It's projected that over 3000km (1900mi) of rail tracks will link the country's major urban centres.)

Libya's road system is sometimes excellent, smooth and fast, and other times it is rough, slow and downright dicey. Although air-con buses and yellow-and-white shared taxis (called roumees or aujra) cover most of the country, because of the restrictions on individual travel you're more likely to spend most of your time aboard 4WD vehicles. This obviously depends on which Libyan travel company you choose to travel with.

Visa information

Everyone except visitors from some Arab countries and Malta must have a visa to visit Libya. Nationals of Israel are not admitted. Visas are only issued to visitors travelling as part of an organised tour.