Transportation in Angola

Luanda's transport mix is built around shared candongueiros (blue-and-white minivans) that cover every major avenue for pocket-change fares, plus metered yellow taxis that are a moderate splurge when you want doors that close properly. Ride-hailing apps such as Heetch and Bolt now operate in the capital, offering mid-range prices and the advantage of fixed fares before you get in. Inter-city travel leans on long-distance coaches from companies like Macon and SGO, which depart from the central rodoviária and are the cheapest way to reach Benguela or Lubango, just expect a slow, shoulder-to-shoulder ride. First-timers should know that candongueiros only stop if you wave clearly and have exact kwanza coins ready. Drivers rarely speak English and routes are posted on the windshield in Portuguese. After dark, switch to app cars or a hotel-booked taxi, minivans thin out and street lighting is patchy. For the airport run, skip the curbside hustlers: the official taxi queue outside arrivals is the only reliable option, and you should insist on the meter or agree the fare before loading bags. There is no rail link to the airport, and city buses don't enter the terminal precinct, so budget for a taxi or arrange a hotel transfer in advance.