Money and payments
Cards and cash
United Capital Bank (Corinthia Hotel) has an international Visa card ATM.
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Africa · Northern AfricaOutline guideCountry in Northeast Africa
Photo: walter callens, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sudan (Arabic: السودان, As-Sudan) is a country in Northeast Africa and is Africa's third largest country in terms of area. Sudan was the continent's largest country up until the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Since the 1980s, Sudan has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The country has had a particularly turbulent history since independence from the United Kingdom, and has suffered from decades of conflict and warfare. Under less dire circumstances, however, travelling to Sudan offers one the opportunity to explore a large, diverse nation whose history is believed to go all the way back to 8000 BCE and meet some very hospitable, jovial people.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Sudan.
Cards and cash
United Capital Bank (Corinthia Hotel) has an international Visa card ATM.
Zain has a cheaper prepaid package than Mtn.
Mobile networks
Be cautious when drinking water.
Sudan is a malarial region, so be especially cautious during the rainy season. Poisonous snakes, spiders and scorpions are common in the southern areas.
In general, the Sudanese are hospitable, sociable people. They consider it shameful to give someone a poor welcome, so you can expect to be treated with immense respect as a tourist.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Khartoum (Arabic: الخرطوم Al-Khartum) is the capital of Sudan and is located where the Blue and White Niles merge to form the Nile. The huge, spread-out city is actually made out of three distinct cities (Khartoum, Khartoum North or Bahri, and Omdurman) which are divided by the Nile and its two arms.
Abyei is a town that is administered by Sudan and claimed by South Sudan. It has been one of the flashpoints in the ongoing conflict between the two countries since the Sudanese Civil Wars, as it is disputed between the two countries.
El-Obeid, or Al Ubayyid (Arabic: الأبيض, al-ʾAbyaḍ, lit. "the White"), is a city of 450,000 inhabitants in Kurdufan.
Kassala is a city in Kassala State (Wilayat Kassala) in Sudan. It is a market town that is famous for its fruit gardens.
Nyala is a large city in Darfur.
Port Sudan is a city in Sudan next to the Red Sea.
Atbara is a city of 115,000 inhabitants in Northern Sudan. Due to its links to the railway industry, Atbara is also known as the Railway City.
Merowe is a city in Northern Sudan, along the southern banks of the Nile.
Meroë is an ancient city along the eastern bank of the Nile River in Northern Sudan, approximately 200 km (120 mi) northeast of Khartoum. The site is home to more than 200 Nubian pyramids in three separate groups.
Places in Sudan on the World Heritage List.
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe
Listed 2011
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
Listed 2003
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Home to the capital city, Khartoum, and the traveller's main entry point.
A semi-arid area approximately the size of Spain. Widely considered by many to be the most dangerous region in the country.
The agricultural hub of the country.
A vast desert area and the site of an ongoing insurgency.
Home to pyramids, ancient temples, and historical palaces. It handles the country's international trade and serves as the country's main access point to the world's oceans.
Public transport and paid services in Sudan.
By train
Although Sudan has one of the largest rail networks in Africa much of it is in a state of disrepair. There is reason for optimism about train travel in Sudan again.
By bus
While buses do run frequently in the better travelled areas, in remoter areas people tend to use trucks or "boxes" (Toyota Hiluxes) - they're usually just as crowded as the buses but have fewer…
By car
Driving in Sudan is chaotic but not especially dangerous by African standards. Visitors to the area who are inexperienced at international driving are advised to hire a taxi or a driver.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Sudan.
Finding apps for Sudan…
Other ways to travel:By bicycle
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Khartoum · International · KRT
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Khartoum
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 31° | 34° | 37° | 40° | 42° | 42° | 39° | 36° | 39° | 39° | 35° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 13° | 16° | 19° | 22° | 26° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 19° | 15° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 44 | 58 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Humidity | 26% | 21% | 15% | 14% | 18% | 24% | 41% | 54% | 44% | 29% | 25% | 29% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$310
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2022). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations in April 2023 due to the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to Americans in Sudan due to the current security situation. Do not travel to Sudan for any reason. To report an emergency regarding an American in Sudan, contact: U.S. Embassy Cairo: +20-2-2797-3300 From the United States and Canada: Dial +1-888-407-4747 for the U.S. Department of State. From elsewhere in the world: Dial +1-202-501-4444 for the U.S. Department of State. Unrest - Armed Conflict Armed conflict continues in Sudan. This includes heavy fighting among the Sudanese Armed Forces, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and various armed militias. The situation is violent, volatile, and extremely unpredictable. This is especially true in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, as well as in the capital region, including Khartoum and Omdurman. Khartoum International Airport is currently only operating for limited commercial traffic. Commercial service to the Port Sudan International Airport has been limited at times due to drone strikes. Electrical and communication disruptions can occur at any time. This includes internet and cell phone service interruptions. Crime Crime, including kidnapping, assault, rape, armed robbery, home invasion, looting, and carjacking, is a common threat throughout the country. Checkpoints can appear at any time. Some may be real security checkpoints,…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing military conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country. This does not include the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid where FCDO advises against all but essential travel. There have been several ceasefires, but these have been regularly broken. Monitor travel advice and other media reports for the latest information. Find out more about safety and security in Sudan. Get help in Sudan The British Embassy in Khartoum is closed due to the conflict. There are no British consular staff in Sudan. Our ability to provide consular support is severely limited and we cannot provide in-person support inside Sudan. If you’re a British national in Sudan, you can call our 24/7 telephone helpline: +44 1908 516 666. Select option 2 for consular services for British nationals. Leaving Sudan The UK government is no longer evacuating people from Sudan. FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point. Consider carefully whether you want to take any of the available options. Use your own judgement to move towards a departure point if and when you judge it is safe to do so. The UK government’s ability to facilitate onward travel from countries in the region is limited and you’ll be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself. Any travel options you…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Sudan.
Travel tipsNubia was one of the notable African kingdoms that existed around the same time as Ancient Egypt.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Nile (Arabic: النيل, an-Nīl), is Africa's longest river, and by most definitions the longest in the world at 6,695 kilometers (4,132 miles) from its source White Nile in Burundi/Rwanda to its mouth at the Egyptian…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThis Alexandria to Cape Town by train and bus itinerary covers the overland route from Alexandria, Egypt, to Cape Town, South Africa, and is one of the very few land routes from north to south in Africa available to…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureAfrican flora and fauna is a highlight of trips to Africa, especially on visits to the continent's national parks. Going on a safari is a common way to see it.
Wikivoyage
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