Douala Airport (DLA) is 3 mi/5 km south of the city. Yaounde Airport (YAO) is 2 mi/3 km south of the capital. Cameroon Airlines flies from Douala and Yaounde to many towns within the country.
There is rail service between many major towns, though we don't recommend it except to hardy travelers (it's usually a long, crowded and mostly uncomfortable trip). But if you're up to it, the train that runs the 600 mi/965 km (more than double the straight-line distance) from Douala to N'gaoundere is rather interesting—the scenery and people make it worthwhile. (We spent nearly 20 hours on this train, and though we would never do it again, we're glad we did it once).
Bus travel is also for adventurous travelers—it's uncomfortable, but it's often the only way to get to some of the more interesting parts of Cameroon.
Taxis de brousse—Peugeot 504 station wagons that carry several passengers on a fixed route—are the best means of intercity travel. Trucks for hire also take passengers to various destinations. Taxis within the major towns are dependable, but be sure to agree on the fare before getting in the cab. Many international flights arrive and depart at strange hours of the night and early morning, so try to reserve a taxi or other transportation before arrival.
It's best to take an escorted tour or hire a car with an English-speaking guide on a first visit to Cameroon. If you drive carefully and alertly, however, a trip without a driver is manageable if you are staying in the vicinity of Limbe or Buea.
