Mozambique (MZ)

Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.

Capital: Maputo

Region: Africa

Language: Portuguese

Currency: MZN (MT)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)

Emergency: 119

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Mozambique.

Public Transport Overview

Chapas (minibuses) are the primary public transport across Mozambique — cheap (MT 5–30 per city trip) but crowded, infrequent, and erratic. In Maputo, chapas run fixed routes hailed from the roadside. No timetables — they depart when full. Not recommended for expats carrying valuables. inDrive and Bolt are strongly preferred in Maputo for safety and transparent pricing.

Main operators:

Chapas (private minibuses) — nationwide public transportLAM (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique) — domestic airline: Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Pemba, Tete, InhambaneinDrive — ride-hailing app dominant in Maputo and BeiraBolt — ride-hailing app operating in MaputoNagi Transportes / Irmãos — inter-city coach servicesCFM (Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique) — freight railway with limited passenger servicesDhow and motorised boats — coastal island transfers (Bazaruto, Quirimbas)

🎫 Transit Passes

Chapa Single Trip MT 5–30

Single city zone — Maputo, Beira, Nampula urban areas

💡 Pay the cobrador (conductor) when boarding. No monthly passes exist. Prices increase slightly at night and during peak hours.

inDrive App Ride MT 150–600 (Maputo city)

Maputo and Beira urban areas

💡 Passenger proposes fare; driver accepts or counters. Safer and more reliable than street taxis. Cash payment to driver. Download inDrive app before arrival.

LAM Domestic Flight (Maputo–Beira) MT 4,000–9,000 one way

Domestic routes between provincial capitals

💡 Book via LAM website (lam.co.mz) or a travel agent. Prices vary significantly with advance booking. Delays are common — allow extra connection time.

Taxi & Rideshare

Yellow taxis (Táxi Amarelo) operate in Maputo — no meters, always negotiate the fare before entering. Typical city fare MT 200–600. Airport to city centre MT 800–1,500. Use inDrive or Bolt instead for transparent pricing. In Beira, negotiate at MT 300–600 from airport to city centre. Outside major cities, chapas and shared taxis (taxi-platoon) are the only options.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

inDrive is the dominant ride-hailing app in Mozambique, operating in Maputo and increasingly in Beira. Bolt also operates in Maputo. Both require a Mozambican or international SIM card for SMS verification. Estimated fares: Maputo city centre MT 150–400; airport transfer MT 500–1,200. Always confirm the driver's details before entering. Much safer than hailing street taxis, especially at night.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure is very limited in Mozambique. No dedicated cycle lanes exist in Maputo or other cities. Cycling on main roads is dangerous due to traffic, potholes, and absent road markings. Some expats cycle in quieter residential areas (Costa do Sol, Sommerschield). Bicycle theft is common — use a quality lock. Some beach resorts (Tofo, Vilankulo) offer bicycle rental for MT 200–400/day.

Intercity Trains

CFM (Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique) operates primarily freight railways with very limited passenger services. The Maputo–Ressano Garcia line serves the South African border. The Beira–Moatize coal line and Nampula–Cuamba line have infrequent passenger trains. Not practical for most expat travel — flying or inter-city coaches are the preferred options for long distances.

Driving

Mozambique drives on the LEFT. Speed limits: 60 km/h in urban areas, 120 km/h on main national roads (some roads 100 km/h; national parks 40 km/h). A 4WD vehicle is essential for travel outside major cities — roads quickly deteriorate to unpaved tracks requiring clearance. The EN1 (Maputo to Beira) is sealed but has potholes. Night driving outside Maputo is strongly discouraged due to poor lighting, pedestrians, animals on roads, and safety risks. Fuel stations are spaced far apart outside cities — always fill up before leaving urban areas.

Airports

Maputo International Airport (MPM) is the main gateway, located 5 km from the city centre. LAM operates domestic routes to Beira (1h10m), Nampula (2h), Pemba (2h30m), Tete, Quelimane, and Inhambane. International carriers include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, and South African Airways. Beira Airport (BEW) serves central Mozambique. Nampula Airport (APL) serves the north. Always confirm flights on day of travel — schedule changes are common.