Cheap Flights to Cotonou
Flights to Cotonou in 2021
| Popular in | July | High demand for flights, 39% potential price rise |
| Cheapest in | September | Best time to find cheap flights, 6% potential price drop |
| Average price | £380 | Average for round-trip flights in March 2021 |
| Round-trip from | £468 | From London to Cotonou |
COVID Restrictions
View COVID Travel Restrictions for CotonouCheapest prices for Cotonou flights by month
When is the best time to fly to Cotonou?
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LON - COO Price
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£340 - £894
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COO Temperature
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28 - 32 °C
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COO Rainfall
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17 - 278 mm
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When is the best time to book a flight to Cotonou?
Booking 42 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights to Cotonou. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.
Which day is cheapest to fly to Cotonou?
The cheapest flights to Cotonou are usually found when departing on a Saturday. The departure day with the highest cost at present is Thursday.
What time of day is cheapest to fly to Cotonou?
Flights in the morning are typically the cheapest time of the day to fly to Cotonou. Flights in the evening are usually the most expensive.
When is the best time to visit Cotonou?
Benin is a tropical destination, so it has a distinct rainy and dry season. Generally, visitors will want to book their trip during the dry season, which stretches from November through to February. The humidity will be lower and temperatures will be hot, making this time of year ideal for beach holidays. Try to avoid the very hottest times of year, generally between February and April.
Why visit Cotonou?
Possessing some fascinating sights, located near great and unspoilt beaches, and offering the opportunity to see the stunning wildlife of the region, Cotonou is west Africa’s pearl.
The capital of Benin is a lively seaport which is also the very centre of the country’s economic life. This means that you will always be able to find essentials, but also that the city has some exceptional markets where souvenirs and local foods are on offer.
There are also plenty of attractions within the city. Head to Cotonou Cathedral, one of French West Africa’s most beautiful religious buildings. Head to the Haie Vive district, with its bustling collection of restaurants serving food from around the world (and its vibrant bars supplying all of the nightlife you could need). Or learn about the best of contemporary West African art at institutions like the Fondation Zisou.
Another advantage of Cotonou is that the sea is on its doorstep, and the coast near the city has some gorgeous beaches. Visit the newly renamed Obama Beach, which is patrolled by security guards and is completely tourist friendly. Or venture further afield to resorts like the sublime Casa del Papa.
Benin is also small enough to make exploring the interior easy from a hotel in Cotonou. Join adventure tours into the jungle or historical tours to see the relics of the once-dominant Dahomey Culture. See villages raised on stilts at Lake Nokoue or learn about the Voodoo culture at the city of Ouidah.
Wildlife fans will also be in heaven. Take a trip to the Pendjari National Park in the north of Benin to see lions, water buffalo and elephants in their natural habitat, or trek through the magnificent Atakora Mountains with expert guides.
Getting around Cotonou
Cotonou does not have a bus network, and locals get around this by using taxis extensively. Many also use “motos”, a kind of communal taxi service using scooters or motorbikes – which are far cheaper than cars (but possibly a little less reliable). Always negotiate a fare before travelling, as there are no taxi meters.
Getting from the Aiport to Cotonou
Cotonou is served by Cadjehoun Airport (COO), which is not far from the city centre and reaching your hotel should be simple. Most major hotels will offer shuttle buses to meet every flight, so check that your accommodation provides this. Otherwise, there will always be a scrum of taxi drivers waiting to assist, but be sure to negotiate a price before leaving.
