Within N'Djamena, yellow taxis are the main option for visitors. Agree on a price before getting in — there are no meters, and the fare should be negotiated. A short hop across the city typically costs 500–1,000 FCFA; longer journeys more. Motorcycle taxis (known as clando) are faster and cheaper but more exposed, and road surfaces are uneven enough to make this a calculated risk.
For day trips and logistics within the country, hiring a 4WD vehicle with a driver is the standard arrangement. Most tour operators and some hotels can arrange this; it is how the country functions for anyone who needs to move beyond the city. Driving yourself is possible in theory but the roads outside N'Djamena deteriorate quickly, navigation is genuinely difficult, and local knowledge matters. Security conditions can change; travel outside the capital should be planned with current advice and, for remote areas, in convoy.