Money hackUse a no-foreign-fee card
A debit or credit card without foreign transaction fees saves 2–3% on every purchase and ATM withdrawal abroad.
_(2).jpg/1280px-Ganvi%C3%A9_fishing_village_on_stilts_in_Benin_(10282059623)_(2).jpg)
✈️ Cheap flights to Benin
Compare fares to Benin from hundreds of airlines and travel sites – fly into Cotonou Cadjehoun Intl (COO). Find the best time to fly, flight times from major cities and every airport.
🛬 Airports in Benin
| Code | Airport | City | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| COO | Cotonou Cadjehoun Intl | Cotonou | Main |
Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport is the main international gateway. Overland, Benin is linked by road to Togo, Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso, with the coastal route from Lomé the most used by travellers.
📅 Best time to fly to Benin
Best: November-February – the dry season brings sunny skies, easier roads and the best wildlife viewing in Pendjari.
Cheaper shoulder season: March and July-August – hot in March; the south has a short drier spell in midsummer, though the north is rainy.
Avoid: April-June and September-October in the south – heavy rains can make rural roads difficult.
Weather by month in Cotonou
- 31°Jan☀️
- 32°Feb⛅
- 32°Mar⛅
- 32°Apr🌧
- 31°May🌧
- 29°Jun🌧
- 28°Jul⛅
- 28°Aug⛅
- 28°Sep🌧
- 30°Oct🌧
- 31°Nov⛅
- 31°Dec☀️
Average daytime highs (°C) and how rainy each month is.
⏱️ Flight times to Benin
| Route | Distance | Flight time (nonstop) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → Porto-Novo | 5,022 km | 6 h 45 min | |
| New York → Porto-Novo | 8,380 km | 10 h 45 min | |
| Los Angeles → Porto-Novo | 12,355 km | 15 h 35 min | |
| Chicago → Porto-Novo | 9,558 km | 12 h 10 min | |
| Miami → Porto-Novo | 8,968 km | 11 h 30 min | |
| San Francisco → Porto-Novo | 12,499 km | 15 h 45 min | |
| Toronto → Porto-Novo | 8,877 km | 11 h 20 min | |
| Paris → Porto-Novo | 4,741 km | 6 h 25 min | |
| Frankfurt → Porto-Novo | 4,890 km | 6 h 35 min | |
| Dubai → Porto-Novo | 5,999 km | 7 h 55 min | |
| Delhi → Porto-Novo | 8,179 km | 10 h 30 min | |
| Mumbai → Porto-Novo | 7,730 km | 10 h 00 min | |
| Singapore → Porto-Novo | 11,273 km | 14 h 15 min | |
| Sydney → Porto-Novo | 15,577 km | 19 h 25 min* |
Flight times are estimates for a nonstop flight; with a connection allow 2–5 hours more. * Very long routes usually need a stop.
📍 Where to go in Benin
- Cotonou – Benin's busiest city, with a huge market, lively nightlife and the Amazon statue overlooking the sea.
- Ouidah – The spiritual heart of Vodun and the most important site for remembering the Atlantic slave trade.
- Abomey – Former capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey, home to its historic royal palaces.
- Ganvié – A remarkable lake town of wooden houses, schools and markets built on stilts above the water.
- Porto-Novo – A relaxed, historic capital with colonial and Afro-Brazilian buildings and good museums.
- Pendjari National Park – A UNESCO-listed reserve with some of the region's best remaining populations of big mammals.
💡 Flight hacks
Money hackEat your big meal at lunch
Many restaurants serve a cheaper set lunch menu – the same food as dinner for a fraction of the price.
Money hackAlways pay in the local currency
When a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, say no – the conversion rate is almost always worse.
Flights to Benin: questions
What is the main airport in Benin?
The main international airport is Cotonou Cadjehoun Intl (COO) in Porto-Novo.
How long is the flight from London to Benin?
A nonstop flight from London to Porto-Novo covers about 5,022 km and takes around 6 h 45 min. With a connection, plan for a few extra hours.
When is the best time to fly to Benin?
November-February – the dry season brings sunny skies, easier roads and the best wildlife viewing in Pendjari.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Benin?
Fares are usually lowest outside the peak season. Good-value months: March and July-August – hot in March; the south has a short drier spell in midsummer, though the north is rainy.
Do I need a visa to fly to Benin?
It depends on your passport. See our Benin visa & entry guide for the rules, then check with the official embassy before you book.
🌍 Benin profile🛂 Visa & entry📰 Airline news✈️ All flight search
Searches open our travel partner in a new tab. We may earn a small commission when you book – it never changes the price you pay, and it keeps this site free.