Money and payments
Cards and cash
Ecobank take Mastercard and Visa card at their ATMs in Niger.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Roland Hunziker https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandh/, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Niger (Nee-ZHAIR, rarely NY-jer) is a large, arid, landlocked country situated in the Sahel. Formerly a French colony, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and is largely agrarian. Negative things aside, Nigeriens in general are quite friendly and down-to earth, and you can expect to come across numerous curious faces during your stay. Chances are, you may be the first person from your country they have ever met.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Niger.
Cards and cash
Ecobank take Mastercard and Visa card at their ATMs in Niger.
French
The official language in Niger is French, although very few people speak it outside Niamey and even there do not expect a high level conversation with the traders at the markets.
Mobile networks
Bottled water or water sealed in a bag (called pure-wata) is available in most of the cities but in a pinch, city tap water is reported to be well-chlorinated.
The Centers for Disease Control is an excellent resource for authoritative advice on health issues for travellers to Niger.
Visitors are treated as kings in Niger (there is a Koranic proverb to that effect), so be careful not to abuse the hospitality you will be shown.) that you are offered.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Although both the administrative capital and commercial centre, possibly the least crowded and hectic capital in West Africa
A trade hub along trans-Saharan trade routes for over five centuries, home to a magnificent palace and several mosques and a gateway to the nearby Air Mountains
Along picturesque section of the River Niger with one of Niger's best markets, and a starting point for river trips to Gaya
Peul town between shifting sand dunes and disappearing swampland which serves as the gateway to SE Niger & Lake Chad
has a small museum, colourful market and an even more colourful chief's palace
Centre of agriculture (especially peanuts), home to a colourful chief's palace, and near seasonal rivers/floodplains which have caused interesting land formations to the south
The cultural capital of Niger, this Peul-Hausa city has perhaps the most colourful craft markets (pottery & tanning are local specialities) as well as a noteworthy regional museum and sultan's palace
magnificent national park, easiest accessed from Niamey
See the last herd of giraffes in West Africa
Two hours from Niamey, one of West Africa's largest animal markets, plus a colourful array of other traditional market and artisan wares (Sundays)
A river-side town three hours from Niamey with a colorful, laid-back Sunday market as well as pirougue tours to see the hippos and islands
a natural reserve in the desert, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list
Places in Niger on the World Heritage List.
Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve
Listed 1991
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Listed 1996
Historic Center of Agadez
Listed 2013
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Northern Niger covers Niger's Saharan territory.
Southern Niger is the Sahelian region of Niger along its border with Nigeria.
Southwestern Niger is the western and southernmost region of Niger, spanning the Tillabére and Dosso provinces as well as the nation's capital on the Niger River.
Public transport and paid services in Niger.
By bus
The Nigerien government operates a bus service along the major routes of the country. While taking cars is exciting and interesting, they are dangerous, extremely hot, and more expensive.
By rail
A railway line exists between Niamey and Dosso, but as of 2024 there are no trains operating.
Rent a car
There is almost no possibility to rent a car in the usual sense, although in 2005 a Hertz franchise came to Niamey and rents Toyota RAV4s.
By air
Niger Airlines operates flights between Niamey (NIM), Zinder (ZDR), Agadez (AJY), and Diffa (DZRF) as of Mar 2020.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Niger.
Finding apps for Niger…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Niamey · International · NIM
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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 Niamey
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 31° | 35° | 39° | 41° | 40° | 37° | 34° | 31° | 33° | 36° | 35° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 15° | 18° | 22° | 27° | 28° | 27° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 19° | 16° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 23 | 81 | 138 | 190 | 84 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Humidity | 19% | 16% | 15% | 25% | 40% | 51% | 63% | 75% | 72% | 53% | 29% | 23% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$275
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $160 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). 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 Niger for any reason due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping. Due to safety risks, only essential U.S. government employees are permitted to travel to Niger. Non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members of U.S. government employees are not assigned to U.S. Embassy Niamey due to safety risks. The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks. State of emergency A state of emergency and movement restrictions are in place in many regions throughout Niger. Nigerien authorities require military escorts for any foreigners traveling outside Niamey, including U.S. government personnel. Areas under a state of emergency are off-limits and subject to change. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Niger must: Travel in armored vehicles for all movements, and Observe a mandatory curfew. All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. government employees working in Niger. U.S. citizens in Niger are advised to take the same precautions. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Niger. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more. Terrorists continue to plot attacks and use kidnapping for ransom as a business model. They target vulnerable groups and U.S. interests. Terrorists and their supporters are active in planning kidnappings in Niger. They may attack anywhere. Recent attacks and kidnappings have occurred in: Niamey The…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Niger This is due to the rise of reported terrorist and criminal kidnappings of foreign nationals which have taken place this year in Niger. There is an ongoing risk of terrorist attacks throughout Niger including in the capital, Niamey. The political situation remains unstable following the military coup in July 2023. Further instability is possible. Travel disruption There have been reports of gunfire around the Presidential Palace and Diori Hamani International airport early morning on 29 August. The road between central Niamey and the airport may have more security checkpoints and possible short-notice travel disruptions. You should: monitor local media follow the instructions of local authorities contact your airline before travelling US Security Alert The US Embassy in Niamey has issued a Security Alert warning that American citizens are at risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital, Niamey. British citizens are equally at risk. Read the Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Niamey (October 22, 2025). Limited UK government support Support for British nationals is severely limited in Niger. Assistance is provided remotely from the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. In-person assistance is not available. If there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely. Do not rely on the UK government to evacuate you as they…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Niger.
ItinerariesThe Forum Romanum tour is a walking tour around the Colosseo district in Rome, which was the centre of the Roman Empire.
Wikivoyage
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Travel tipsEurope is a continent that is relatively small but with many independent countries. Under normal circumstances, travelling through multiple countries would mean having to go through visa applications and passport…
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Travel tipsThis page is about problems that may arise from evidence of travel to or visa for certain territories. For the issue of visas in general, see Visa.
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