Calabar to Cotonou by ferry
Cotonou lies 672 km (418 mi) west of Calabar, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
The sea distance is about 672 km (418 mi); at typical ferry speeds a direct crossing would take around 20 h 22 min. Whether one runs, and how often, is in the operator’s timetable.
| Calabar | Cotonou | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria | Benin |
| Population | 540,000 | 679,012 |
| Elevation | 37 m (121 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+1 (Africa/Lagos) | UTC+1 (Africa/Porto-Novo) |
| Port | Calabar River Port, Cross River State | Port of Cotonou |
What changes when you arrive in Cotonou
Crossing from Nigeria into Benin: money changes from the Naira to the Franc (XOF); sockets are Euro, Type E; the dialling code becomes +229; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q11185210.
Where to book ferries from Calabar to Cotonou
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Cotonou
Our booking partner lists 578 places to stay in Cotonou. Of the 135 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (72), and 3 are five-star. Across 13 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8 out of 10. Guests have left 3,599 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Cotonou
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Cotonou from Calabar?
672 km (418 mi) in a straight line, west of Calabar; by road roughly 820 km (510 mi).
How long does it take to get from Calabar to Cotonou by ferry?
About 20 h 22 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Calabar and Cotonou?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Cotonou?
The Franc (XOF).
Where can I stay in Cotonou?
Our booking partner lists 578 places to stay in Cotonou, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.