Most visitors passing through Windhoek are either driving themselves around or are members of a group trip. Relatively few will need to rely on the local bus, coach or train services detailed here, despite their efficiency.

By air

Windhoek has excellent international air links with the UK, Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

From Windhoek there are regular flights to:
Katima Mulilo N$1,249
Lüderitz N$1,059
Mokuti Lodge N$830
Ondangwa N$819
Oranjemund N$1,179
Rosh Pinah N$1,129
Swakopmund N$489
Walvis Bay N$489
Travellers should note that Windhoek has two airports, and check which one is used for each of their flights. Hosea Kutako International Airport tends to be for larger aircraft and most international flights, while Eros, near the Safari Hotel, caters mostly for internal flights and light aircraft, and just a few international flights. Both are small by international standards and are modern and pleasant – at least as airports go.

Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport is 42km east of town, along the B6 towards Gobabis. The larger car-hire companies have their own offices at the airport, and others will meet you there on request, so picking up a hired car on arrival is straightforward.

If you don't plan to have your own vehicle, and have made no other arrangements, you can prebook one of the services run by local companies. Operators include Marenko Shuttle Services (tel/fax: 061 226331), and Transfer Excellence (tel/fax: 061 244949). Alternatively, a taxi to/from the airport should cost from around N$130, depending on the number of passengers. In the passenger area inside the airport are a small bank with bureau de change facilities open for incoming flights, a post office, a bureau for making international telephone calls (with fax facility), and a café which overlooks the arrivals hall. Inside the departure lounge, beyond customs, there's plenty of seating, a bar, a small souvenir shop, and a slightly larger duty-free shop. This last accepts Namibian dollars, credit cards and some foreign currency. You will probably get your change in South African rand, and the staff here will also exchange N$100 notes for the equivalent in rand, if asked.

If you've asked a porter to carry your bags to your car or taxi, a tip of around N$2 is about right.

Eros International Airport stands near the main B1 road on the way south to Rehoboth, about 500m from the Safari Hotel. It is even smaller than the international airport – positively bijou. Eros is used for most of Air Namibia's internal flights, a few regional services (and sometimes Cape Town flights), and a steady stream of light aircraft traffic. It has an Avis desk, a small café and a curio shop, and is usually refreshingly informal. There's no public transport to/from here, but as it's relatively close (4km) to the centre of town, taxis are easily summoned by phone. Failing that, the Safari Court Hotel and its cheaper partner, the Safari Hotel, are just five minutes' walk away.

By coach

Intercape Mainliner (tel: 061 227847; fax: 061 228285; web: www.intercape.co.za) coaches depart from the big parking area behind the Grab-a-phone kiosk opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel. These head south for Upington (with connections to Jo'burg) and Cape Town at 16.55 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. They also travel west to Walvis Bay via Okahandja, Karibib, Usakos, and Swakopmund, departing at 05.55 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
By train
Windhoek is at the hub of TransNamib's relatively slow services around the country. Departures to Tsumeb are on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 17.45; to Keetmanshoop daily (except Saturday) at 19.00; to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay daily (except Saturday) at 19.55; to Gobabis on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 21.50, and to Upington on Tuesday and Friday at 19.00.

The capital is also a terminus for the Desert Express's trips across the Namib, aimed specifically at visitors. This leaves from Windhoek station on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday afternoon at 14.30 (15.30 in summer), arriving in Swakopmund at 10.00 the following morning. Its air-conditioned cabins have en-suite facilities and cost N$1,500 per person sharing a twin cabin. This includes excursions, dinner and breakfast.

Windhoek's railway station is just off Bahnhof Street; tel: 061 298 2032.

By train

Windhoek is at the hub of TransNamib's relatively slow services around the country. Departures to Tsumeb are on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 17.45; to Keetmanshoop daily (except Saturday) at 19.00; to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay daily (except Saturday) at 19.55; to Gobabis on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 21.50, and to Upington on Tuesday and Friday at 19.00. See Chapter 6, pages 93–5.

The capital is also a terminus for the Desert Express's trips (see pages 95–6) across the Namib, aimed specifically at visitors. This leaves from Windhoek station on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday afternoon at 14.30 (15.30 in summer), arriving in Swakopmund at 10.00 the following morning. Its air-conditioned cabins have en-suite facilities and cost N$1,500 per person sharing a twin cabin. This includes excursions, dinner and breakfast.

Windhoek's railway station is just off Bahnhof Street; tel: 061 298 2032.