Which public transport options are available for everyday travel in Botswana?

The main options are taxis, local minibuses and scheduled buses. Taxis usually travel door to door without a fixed schedule, while minibuses and buses are more closely tied to stops and central interchange points.

What are the published public transport fares in Botswana?

The fares published on April 6, 2026, list P10 per passenger and journey for a shared taxi, P36 for a special taxi and P9 for a local minibus. For long-distance journeys, 0.38 per kilometre on bitumen and 0.41 on gravel or sand routes were published; the unit of these kilometre values should be checked before payment because fares can change at short notice.

How can a provider obtain a public transport taxi permit in Botswana?

A locally registered company or an approved person needs a suitable passenger vehicle and must undergo a hearing and vehicle inspection by the Department of Road Transport Services. Processing takes approximately 39 working days; the application costs BWP 130 plus the prescribed permit fee.

How important are roads for passenger transport in Botswana?

Roads form the backbone of passenger and freight transport because the country is large and regular passenger rail service is currently unavailable. The eastern A1 corridor and road connections to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia carry a particularly large share of long-distance mobility.

Which public transport options connect Botswana with neighbouring countries?

Cross-border bus services and road traffic connect Botswana with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. When entering via the Kazungula ferry between Botswana and Zambia, a passport is required for the border crossing.

Transport in Botswana

Botswana relies heavily on roads for passenger and freight transport. For regular or frequent daily journeys, 61.72% of the population uses public transport, 25.48% uses a family or personal vehicle, and 7.50% walks. Taxis, minibuses, scheduled buses, private vehicles, aircraft and local ferries complement one another depending on the region.

byNaledi&Kabelo

Public transport includes taxis, local minibuses (Combis) and scheduled buses. A taxi usually travels from door to door without a fixed schedule. A Combi is a local minibus; buses operate locally or over longer distances. Central interchange points (bus ranks) serve as transfer hubs. The Department of Road Transport Services (DRTS) authorizes and regulates local routes, long-distance buses, taxis, on-demand taxis (call cabs), cross-border services, tour buses, school buses, employee shuttles and rental vehicles, among other services. In June 2024, there were 6,536 taxi permits, 3,369 permits for local minibuses, 2,316 for scheduled buses, 169 for call cabs and 591 for school buses. Unlicensed providers and gaps in accessibility continue to exist. To obtain a permit, a locally registered company or an approved person needs a suitable vehicle; a hearing and vehicle inspection then follow. A taxi permit takes approximately 39 working days to process, and the application costs BWP 130 plus the prescribed permit fee.

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