Getting around Somalia independently is not realistic for most visitors. The security situation on the roads is too unpredictable, and there is no tourism infrastructure to fall back on.
Within Mogadishu
Taxis and tuk-tuks are available in Mogadishu. Most aid workers and journalists travel in armored vehicles with armed escorts hired through their organizations or established security contractors. If you are visiting independently, hire a trusted local fixer who can arrange transport and advise on which neighborhoods to avoid on any given day. Areas near the airport, the Maka al-Mukarama road, and the Hamarweyne district are the most visited, but conditions change.
Between Cities
Shared minibuses and trucks connect major towns — Mogadishu to Beledweyne, Kismayo to Mogadishu — but these routes pass through areas with active checkpoints, banditry, and al-Shabaab activity. For aid workers, UN agencies use internal charter flights between Mogadishu, Garowe, Bossaso, and Galkayo. These are not available to independent travelers.
In Puntland, a highway connects Bossaso, Garowe, Galkayo, and Laas Caanood. Road conditions are better than in the south, but security remains unpredictable.
Domestic Flights
Several small carriers operate within Somalia, including Jubba Airways and African Express Airways, with routes connecting Mogadishu to Bossaso, Galkayo, and Garowe. These are the safest option for intercity travel where they operate.