Getting around
Moderate
Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: expatexchange.com, thingstodoinwindhoek.com
Overall4.7/10Harder to get around than about 60% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Car rental makes sense for day trips into the surrounding landscape that countryside beyond what shared transport reaches.
- Skip unofficial touts in airport arrivals—they are pushy and their pricing rarely favors you; walk past them to reach the designated transfer area.
- For women traveling alone or children going to school, city buses are considered safe, but stay alert and aware of your surroundings as with any public transportation.
Car Rental
- Notes
- The monthly cost of a car rental in Windhoek is on average $1,764 ($59/day).
Daily Rates
- Economy
- NAD 319
- Monthly Average
- NAD 28,134
Walkability
- Overview
- The city center is walkable, making it easy to explore on foot during daylight—Independence Avenue and surrounding streets are best explored without a vehicle. Walking can be less convenient outside the central area. After dark, take a taxi rather than walking unfamiliar streets on foot.
- Getting Around Tier
- moderate
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Expats can live comfortably without a car using public transportation and walking, though routes are limited and may not cover all areas of the city, which can be a challenge for those living in outlying areas, and walking can be less convenient outside the center.
Private Taxis
- Fare Structure
- Taxi fare increased from N$13 to N$15 as of May 2026, and taxis have a base price of approximately NAD 13 and add roughly NAD 13 per km of driving.
- Description
- Taxis are a common mode of transportation, operating throughout the city and can be hailed on the street or booked in advance; fares are generally reasonable, varying by distance and time of day, and are considered safe when using a reputable taxi company.
- Important Note
- Meters are not standard in Namibian taxis; most drivers do not use them. Always negotiate and agree on a firm fare before entering the vehicle, as attempting to settle the price on arrival is a common source of disputes.
Bicycle Rental
- Note
- Bicycle rental available; pricing starts from approximately €3/day equivalent.
Public Transit
- Overview
- The city is served by city buses, taxis, and mini-buses run by the City of Windhoek and private operators.
City Buses
- Description
- The City of Windhoek operates a network of city buses serving the central business district and surrounding suburbs; they are generally safe and reliable with regular daytime services, but services are less frequent in evenings and on weekends.
Minibus Taxis
- Notes
- Transport by taxi costs N$15 for a single, standard ride as of May 18, 2026, increased from N$13.
- Description
- Shared minibus taxis, the combis, form the backbone of public transport. They spread out from the central taxi rank and blanket most of the urban area, running all day. Shared taxis follow loose fixed routes and are hailed from the roadside or departure points; listen for the route being called by the conductor or driver and signal when you want to board.
Fares
- Single Trip
- NAD 15
Scooter Rental
- Seasonal Notes
- A basic scooter runs roughly NAD 90–120 per day in low season and NAD 150–250 per day in high season, with larger or newer models going for NAD 250–400 per day; prices climb during July–October and again around December–January.
Daily Rates
- Basic Low Season
- NAD 90
- Basic High Season
- NAD 150
- Larger Or Newer Models
- NAD 250
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Windhoek
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.