What transport options does the visitor have and what is the best way of getting around town in Enugu? Depending on how they come into the city, visitors will have six modes of transport for getting around town in Enugu. These include car hire services, hailing taxis, private cab drivers, and commercial buses, tricycles, and motorbikes. Each of these offers various levels of comfort convenience and fits whatever budget you have. Perhaps the most important consideration in choosing which mode of transport to purchase for getting around town in Enugu will b security.
Below are the options to choose from and their various levels of cost, convenience, ease of use, and security.
Car hire services
 Car hire services operate from airports and big hotels in town. If you booked a hotel online, ask them to get a car hire service to wait for you at the airport. Security is guaranteed in that case. You will also have the minimum comfort of an air conditioned car. Some hotels also have shuttle buses that take their guests to and from the airport. If your destination is outside Enugu City or a different state, the airport and hotel car hire services will also take you there. Some of them are prepared to wait for days in the location to take you around for your meetings. International online agencies have car hire options when you book online. Enugu Metro also has a booking app for verified local cab drivers. |
Hailing Taxis
Ride Sharing Services
Two major hailing taxis in Enugu are Bolt and IVM Cruise. The two ride sharing service operate like the Car Hire Operators, picking up passengers from hotels, airports and offices to destinations within and outside the Coal City. They also ferry passengers across the state and even beyond. Bolt appears to be the most consistent of the two as the local competitor (IVM Cruise) struggles to put its house in order. In 2023, InDrive also made a landing in Enugu and has been advertising heavily. Download either the Bolt or the InDrive Apps from Google Play or IOS Store and you are good to go, not only in Enugu but also other cities where the services operate in Nigeria. Security is however increasingly becoming an issue more for the drivers than their passengers.
Private Cabs
Individuals with cars sometimes decide to convert them to car hire service. Most engage in the trade to augment their income or when they are in between jobs. The cans are popularly known as kabu-kabu in many cities, a name given to the business by Lagosians. In Enugu, they have designated street corners where they wait for passengers. Their loading bays are usually streets with high footfalls and big commercial neighbourhoods and open markets.
If you prefer this mode of transportation, your hotel reception or porter will normally have phone numbers of one or two contacts to recommend. They will also call and book the ride for you. It is better to use the hotel staff to do the booking because they will have some sort of official arrangement with the driver that guarantees hotel guests a higher level of security.
Commercial Buses
| Unfortunately, city buses no longer operate in Enugu. They were replaced by a totally inconvenient to ride mini buses. What you will find are several commercial 12- to 16-seater mini buses operating different routes in the city. Ironically, it is one of the safest means of transport for getting around in Enugu. And also the most budget friendly. However, the buses do not guarantee comfort and convenience. Nevertheless, if you want to experience how the residents live, this is probably the best way to experience life in Enugu at close quarters. Unlike Lagos where there is always a mad rush to board and disembark from a bus, Enugu buses take things easy. Visitors are pleasantly surprised (or irritated, for those in a hurry) to behold the leisurely pace at which passengers saunter into to and leave the bus on arrival at their destinations. The buses have designated routes they ply. At the bus stops, you’ll find that the people are friendly. Most will listen patiently and point you to the right direction if you ask. |
Tricycles
 Tricycles (aka Kéké) is a relatively new mode of transport for getting around town in Enugu. They are a cross between car hire and commercial buse service. Keke Napep has effectively replaced commercial Zin Enugu. Yellow taxis resurfaced during the Gov. Sullivan Chime administration. Chime procured thousands of taxis and gave them to the youths on hire purchase arrangement. The taxis mounted strong competition with car hire services. Unfortunately, the programme was not sustained arising from driver repayment defaults, mismanagement by the system operators, and lack of sustainability by succeeding Ugwuanyi government. Today, Keke has effectively replaced commercial taxis so much that it is also an option for Bolt rides. Yes indeed, you can order the tricycle using Bolt app. Commercial tricycles will take you to anywhere you want to go in the city. Editor’s Note: The tricycles are licenced and given registration numbers by the Government. Do not board anyone without this number prominently displayed. Instead, wait for the Bolt rides which is also less expensive.  |
Editor’s Note: The tricycles are licenced and given registration numbers by the Government. Do not board anyone without this number prominently displayed. Instead, wait for the Bolt rides which is also less expensive.
Motorbikes
Okada is not the safest way to move around the city outskirts. The riders do not wear protective helmets and will neither offer their passengers one. Some do not have respect for speed limits nor show concern for passenger comfort while driving on the bumpy roads.
| Motorbikes (aka Okada) is the most popular means of transport outside the city centre. Enugu State government prohibits them from the city and itssuburbs. This means that you can only use this means of transport at the outskirts of Coal City. Even at that, Okada is not the safest way to move around the city outskirts. The riders do not wear protective helmets and will neither offer their passengers one. Some do not have respect for speed limits nor show concern for passenger comfort while driving on the bumpy roads. It is not recommended for the first time visitor. Editor’s Note: Not recommended. |
Getting around town in Enugu
Whatever mode of transport you choose to patronize for getting around town in Enugu, it is good to consider safety and convenience, especially if you are travelling at night, going to high risk areas, or getting to Enugu after a long journey by air or by road. Generally, you will find that local transportation in Enugu, regardless of the mode, is safe and reliable when using verified operators. These are the airport and hotel car hire services, car hailing taxis, and Bolt-supported tricycles. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the taxi safety rules you need to observe in order to stay safe not only in Enugu but also in all cities of Nigeria.
Welcome to Enugu.
Need more info about local transportation? Chat with us now – or whenever you are set to visit.
Author
