By Air
Nearly all international flights arrive at N'Djamena International Airport (NDJ), the country's only international airport, located 4 km northwest of the city center. Taxis are available at arrivals.
Air France operates flights from Paris (CDG), the most common routing from Europe. Turkish Airlines flies year-round from Istanbul (IST), which provides convenient connections from many cities worldwide. Ethiopian Airlines connects through Addis Ababa, offering good links from East Africa and beyond. Regional carriers include ASKY Airlines (hub in Lome, connecting West African capitals), Camair-Co (Douala), EgyptAir (Cairo), Air Algerie (Algiers), and Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca).
There are no direct flights from the UK, the US, or Australia. Paris, Istanbul, and Addis Ababa are the most practical transit points.
Flights to N'Djamena are not cheap, and options are limited. Book well in advance, especially during the peak travel season (November to February).
Overland
Chad can be entered by road from Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic, though border security and road conditions vary enormously.
The most common overland route is from Cameroon, crossing at Kousseri, directly across the Chari River from N'Djamena. Boats shuttle passengers across; there is no bridge. The route from Maroua in northern Cameroon is also well-traveled.
From Nigeria, the crossing near Maiduguri passes through a sliver of northern Cameroon. This border area is subject to Boko Haram activity and most governments advise against travel here.
From the Central African Republic, the route runs through Gore on the Chadian side and Bossangoa on the CAR side. Road conditions are poor and the security situation in northern CAR is volatile.
Overland entry from Libya and Sudan is theoretically possible but extremely difficult and dangerous. These borders are in conflict zones and most governments advise against all travel to these areas.
There is no railway in Chad, and long-standing plans for a rail link with Cameroon have not materialized.
Visas
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Chad. These must generally be obtained in advance from a Chadian embassy or consulate. Visa-on-arrival arrangements exist but are unreliable. Bring extra passport photos and proof of onward travel. Check current requirements with the nearest Chadian diplomatic mission before booking.