Transport in Honduras

Road transport is the backbone of mobility in Honduras. Public transport includes buses, Microbuses, rapiditos, taxis, shared taxis, and mototaxis. The Honduran Institute of Land Transport (Instituto Hondureño de Transporte Terrestre) (IHTT) regulates concessions, operating permits, technical and physical inspections, operating certificates, fares, and timetables. An Operation Certificate (Certificado de Operación) specifies, among other things, the connection, service area, operating hours, timetable, fare, vehicle and seating data, and validity. Operators need authorization from the IHTT; local municipal rules may also apply. Depending on the connection, passengers use stops or bus terminals. San Pedro Sula is an important bus hub, while Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela are particularly affected by congestion and traffic-light management. Fares depend on the connection and type of service and are approved by the IHTT; a uniform nationwide timetable or fare platform has not been documented. The processing time for permits depends on the individual case and complete documentation because the IHTT does not specify a uniform deadline. Private cars and motorcycles play a central role in urban traffic and on longer routes. The National Directorate of Roads and Transport (Dirección Nacional de Vialidad y Transporte) (DNVT) and the National Police (Policía Nacional) check driving licences, vehicle documents, number plates, technical requirements, and safety rules. For a first licence for light vehicles or motorcycles, the basic minimum age is 18. Depending on the procedure, applicants need a Honduran identity card or residence permit, reading and writing skills, and medical, psychological, and ophthalmological examinations with theoretical and practical tests. Passenger or goods transport generally requires a minimum age of 25, at least completed primary education, a special course at INFOP, and an additional examination. Foreign nationals need a valid driving licence from their home country; recognition depends on reciprocity or an agreement. The road network includes urban, rural, and tertiary roads. According to the 2023 program status, approximately 76.76 percent of the network was unpaved; a development target of 6,500 kilometres was stated for tertiary roads. The CA-4, CA-5, and CA-13 corridors carry a large share of interregional traffic. San Pedro Sula is a logistics bottleneck. In 2025, rehabilitation of the CA-13 over the 174 kilometres between La Ceiba and Puerto Castilla was approved, including traffic-safety and climate-resilience measures. International bus and freight connections run through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. National Customs (Aduanas) handles border, port, and airport clearance, distinguishing among freight, light vehicles, and passenger traffic. Regular national passenger rail service is not currently documented. FNH is present as a railway institution, but according to a September 2025 report, passenger services have generated no operating revenue since 2020 because locomotives were deactivated or damaged; routes were undergoing repairs. Cuero y Salado represents a limited tourism rehabilitation project. In everyday travel, buses, cars, and taxis replace rail, with ferries or aircraft also used locally. The aviation authority (AHAC) lists Toncontín in Tegucigalpa, Palmerola, Ramón Villeda Morales, Golosón, and Juan Manuel Gálvez among the international airports. It is responsible for licences, navigation, certification, and flight and passenger statistics. Availability, fees, and boarding rules depend on the route, airline, and airport operator. The National Port Company (Empresa Nacional Portuaria) (ENP) operates ports such as Puerto Cortés and San Lorenzo; San Lorenzo provides direct access to the Pacific. Ferries and flights are key means of transport for the Bay Islands. According to the operator, about two ferries usually run in each direction per day between La Ceiba and Roatán. The regular crossing takes approximately 1.5 hours, a one-way ticket costs about 30 to 31 US dollars, and First Class costs about 31 to 35 US dollars. Timetables and prices may change seasonally or depending on the operator; check-in should take place at least one hour before departure. Cycling and walking are legally and practically part of the transport system, but depend heavily on the local street environment. A continuous nationwide cycleway network has not been documented. Municipalities create crossings, traffic lights, and pedestrian areas in specific locations; in new projects by SIT and the World Bank, sidewalks, safe stops, barriers, and infrastructure for two- and three-wheelers are among the measures. Use of public roads is generally free, while safety and infrastructure vary considerably by region. The AMDC implements targeted measures for walking, traffic lights, and street space in Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela. Road traffic produces the largest share of transport-related emissions, air pollution, noise, land use, and congestion. World Bank projects therefore combine road safety with better air quality, fewer greenhouse gases, active mobility, climate-resilient drainage, and wildlife crossings. According to the World Bank, more than 60 percent of the road network is exposed to natural hazards. Electric vehicles and electrically powered public transport are being developed; a comprehensive nationwide strategy has not been documented.