How to get around

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Minibuses are the most popular means of transportation for locals and mainly used in shorter trips within the city to nearby districts. Not recommendable though for the average western travelers. Taxis vary depending on condition of the car and your comfort depends on that. Tourists can be charged even three times the usual cost and there is need to ask the locals prior to your trip to establish baseline charges. Be prepared for bargaining on the price so as not to spend more than necessary. Go by foot or bicycle during the day. Self-drive is the most expensive considering car hire costs, but it is definitely the most comfortable and exiting transportation means to tour around Malawi.

Rural muddy roads are almost impassable when it rains, but main roads are usually in good state. Roads in the cities can get crowded in rush hours, hence need to travel before these crowded hours if punctuality is to be observed.

Malawi’s rail services offer little in the transportation business. There is a train connecting Blantyre and Balaka that is ridiculously cheap, but slow. Another one is between Liwonde to the border town of Nayuchi.