Within Hargeisa
Hargeisa has thousands of taxis. Fares are negotiated — agree on the price before getting in. The city is not large and most journeys within the centre cost a dollar or two. There are also bajaj (auto-rickshaws) for short hops.
Between Cities
Shared taxis and minibuses connect the main towns. Vehicles depart when full rather than on fixed schedules, so morning is the best time to travel. Hargeisa to Berbera takes two to three hours on tarmac. Hargeisa to Borama in the west is roughly two to three hours. The road east toward Burao is paved for much of the route.
For more remote destinations — Laas Geel, the Sanaag highlands, or the coast near Saylac — you will need a hired vehicle. 4WD is necessary for many of these routes. Car hire with a driver can be arranged in Hargeisa; plan to spend US$80–150 per day depending on vehicle and distance.
Security Escorts
Authorities have at various times required foreign visitors travelling outside Hargeisa to be accompanied by a police or government-assigned guard. This policy comes and goes — check the current situation when you arrive. The guards are typically friendly and the requirement, where it exists, is more bureaucratic than alarming. Their cost (usually US$10–30/day) falls to the traveller.
Stick to Woqooyi Galbeed, Sahil, and Awdal regions for straightforward travel. The eastern regions of Sool and Sanaag have seen instability; get local advice before heading that way.
Mobile Payments
Over half of commerce in Somaliland runs through mobile money apps — Zaad (Telesom) and e-Dahab (Somtel). Getting a local SIM and loading it with credit is practical if you're staying more than a few days. For shorter visits, US dollars in cash work almost everywhere.