Getting to Maputo and Around by Txopela, Taxi and Ferry

Unlike sprawling inland capitals where the airport sits an hour outside town, Maputo's international terminal is practically inside the city, while the paved N4 Maputo Corridor highway puts South Africa's Kruger National Park less than two hours away by road.

Arriving at Maputo International Airport (MPM)

Maputo International Airport (MPM) sits just 6 kilometres north-west of Polana and the Baixa. Direct international flights link Maputo with Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal), Johannesburg (under an hour in the air), Addis Ababa, Doha and Dar es Salaam, while LAM Mozambique Airlines operates domestic flights up the Indian Ocean coast to Inhambane, Vilankulo (for the Bazaruto Archipelago), Beira, Nampula and Pemba. Many nationalities are eligible for visa-free tourism entry on arrival (with payment of a border processing fee and proof of return flights and hotel booking) or can apply via Mozambique's official e-Visa portal before travel. Because there is no airport train, pre-arrange a hotel pickup or take an official airport taxi outside arrivals for the 15- to 25-minute ride to Polana.

Overland via the N4 Highway from South Africa and Eswatini

Maputo lies 90 kilometres east of the South African border at Ressano Garcia / Lebombo (Komatipoort) along the well-maintained N4 toll highway, making it easy to combine a Kruger safari with a few days of Indian Ocean seafood. Daily luxury coaches (such as Intercape and Greyhound) run between Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit (Mbombela) and central Maputo, while travellers arriving from Eswatini cross at the highland border of Namaacha or Goba an hour west of the capital. If self-driving a South African hire car into Mozambique, you must carry an official cross-border authorisation letter, third-party Mozambican insurance, two warning triangles and a reflective vest.

Getting around Maputo: walking, txopelas and ferries

Within daytime Polana Cimento, Sommerschield and the historic Baixa, walking between adjacent sights is pleasant under the shade trees. For hops between the upper plateau, CFM Station and Mercado do Peixe, visitors rely on two options:

• Txopelas (yellow-and-green three-wheeled auto-rickshaws): airy, nimble and ideal for 10-minute rides between Polana, FEIMA and the Baixa; always agree the fare in Meticais before climbing in.
• Private taxis and ride-hailing apps: safer than walking or taking open txopelas after dark; ask your hotel or restaurant to call a trusted driver at night. Avoid overcrowded chapa minibuses.