Benin City to Cotonou flights
Cotonou lies 354 km (220 mi) west of Benin City, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 12 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Benin City | Cotonou | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria | Benin |
| Population | 1.8 million | 679,012 |
| Elevation | 88 m (289 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+1 (Africa/Lagos) | UTC+1 (Africa/Porto-Novo) |
| Nearest large airport | BNI, 4 km out | COO, 4 km out |
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.
Airports at each end
Leaving Benin City
Benin City is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Benin Airport (BNI), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 7,870 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Warri Airport (QRW, 85 km).
Arriving in Cotonou
Cotonou is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), 4 km (2 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 7,906 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport | COO | 4 km (2 mi) | 7,906 ft | 19 ft |
Book a flight to Cotonou
Our airline partner is activating live fares for this site; the search below opens the moment that is done. Hotels can be booked now.
Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this 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 Benin City?
354 km (220 mi) in a straight line, west of Benin City.
How long does it take to get from Benin City to Cotonou by air?
About 1 h 12 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Benin City and Cotonou?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Benin City to Cotonou flights?
Typically Benin Airport (BNI) to Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO).
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 13 September 2026. Hotel 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.