Lagos to Cotonou is the shortest international route on the Transita index and the first leg of the coastal road to Lomé and Accra. Three operators post fares on it, all from Lagos, and it is priced like the border crossing it is rather than the distance: a seat costs more than many all-day domestic routes.
Key takeaways
- 3 operators post live fares between Lagos and Cotonou.
- Fares run from ₦73,000 to ₦99,750 depending on operator and vehicle class.
- Scheduled journey time is 2 hours across roughly 120km.
- The lowest posted fare on the Lagos–Cotonou leg is ₦73,000 with GIGM.
How much is a bus ticket from Lagos to Cotonou?
Fares on this corridor currently run between ₦73,000 and ₦99,750. The spread is not arbitrary — it tracks vehicle class far more closely than it tracks operator. A seat on a 14-seat Hiace and a seat on a luxury coach are different products sold on the same road, and the gap between them is usually larger than the gap between two operators selling the same class.
| Operator | Fare range | Typical journey time | Vehicle classes | Boarding points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIGM | ₦73,000 | 2 hours | Hiace | 6 |
| ABC Transport | ₦85,000 | 2 hours | Sprinter | 1 |
| Chisco Transport | ₦99,750 | 2 hours | Hiace | 4 |
See today's Lagos to Cotonou departures and fares
How long does the journey take?
Operators schedule the Lagos–Cotonou run at 2 hours, covering roughly 120km via the Lagos–Badagry Expressway and the Seme border. The fastest scheduled service on the corridor is ABC Transport at 2 hours. Treat all of these as timetable figures rather than promises: they assume a clean run, and they do not include the time it takes to clear the city at either end.
The timetable says two hours, which is the driving. The Seme border is the variable it leaves out: formalities on both sides can add as much time again, and more at busy periods. Carry an international passport or another valid ECOWAS travel document; the operator will not board you without one.
Where buses leave from and arrive
There are 9 recorded boarding points in Lagos serving this corridor and 1 arrival point in Cotonou. Which one you pick matters more than most travellers expect — on a long corridor, a boarding point on the right side of the city can save an hour before the bus has left.
Departure points in Lagos
- Agbara
- Ajah
- Cele
- Empire
- Festac
- Iyana-Paja
- Jibowu
- Maza-maza
- Okota
Arrival points in Cotonou
- Cotonou
When to travel
Departures are concentrated early in the morning, which puts you through the border while it is quieter. GIGM also runs later in the day for anyone who cannot make a dawn start.
Comparing your options on this corridor
Transita indexes every operator on this corridor in one search, so you see ABC Transport, Chisco Transport and GIGM side by side rather than checking each carrier separately. Compare the fare against the vehicle class and the departure terminal together — those three things decide the journey far more than the headline price does. Once you have picked a service, you complete the trip with the operator.
Compare live fares across every operator on Transita. One search covers every operator on the corridor.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus from Lagos to Cotonou?
Fares currently start at ₦73,000 and run up to ₦99,750. The lowest posted fare is with GIGM; premium coach seats sit at the top of that range.
How many hours is Lagos to Cotonou by road?
Operators schedule 2 hours for the roughly 120km run via the Lagos–Badagry Expressway and the Seme border.
Which bus companies run from Lagos to Cotonou?
ABC Transport, Chisco Transport and GIGM currently post fares on this corridor.
Is there an overnight bus from Lagos to Cotonou?
Departures are concentrated early in the morning, which puts you through the border while it is quieter. GIGM also runs later in the day for anyone who cannot make a dawn start.
How do I compare Lagos to Cotonou fares?
Transita shows every operator's live fare on this corridor in one search, alongside the vehicle class and departure terminal, so you can compare before you travel. You complete the trip with the operator you choose.
