Europe has the best air connections with Cameroon. Most carriers fly only to Douala, though Swissair has flights to both Yaoundé and Douala from Zurich and Geneva. Travellers from North America will have to connect in Europe or an African hub such as Dakar (Senegal) or Lagos (Nigeria). The only rail connection is from the Central African Republic, which puts you at Belabo, about 200km (124mi) north-east of Yaoundé. There's a departure tax on international flights of around US$15.

Bush taxis and minibuses are the most common way of arriving by land. The most common border crossings for vehicles are Mora from Chad, Mamfé from Nigeria, and Ambam from Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Douala is a popular port with European freighters, and there are boats making daily runs between Oron, Nigeria, and Idenao, near Limbe, in Cameroon. The quickest and most reliable are speedboats, which take about four hours.

The best way of making short trips is by bush taxi or minivan. They're cheap, fast (sometimes a bit too fast) and easy to find. Buses, however, are better for getting between Yaoundé and Douala, Bafoussam, Bemenda, Foumban and Dschang.

If you're travelling to northern Cameroon, consider taking the train. It's cheap, much faster than driving or taking a bush taxi, and fairly comfortable. The Gazelle du Nord runs once a day between Yaoundé and N'Gaoundéré; there's also a leg between the capital and Douala. Cameroun Airlines flies between Douala and Yaoundé several times a day, and Unitair flies between those cities and Maroua, Garoua, N'Gaoundéré and several others. Flying is by far the most expensive way of getting around. There's a nominal departure tax on domestic flights.

If the teeth-clenching, knuckle-whitening speeds of bush taxis put you off, car rental is an option. Petrol is cheap but rental fees are quite high. Agencies can be found in Yaoundé, Douala and a few other large cities. You can drive with a valid licence from your home country but it's always best to get an International Driver's Licence. Driving is on the right.