Cotonou is Benin’s largest city and its economic centre. It’s a city of beaches and little motorcycle-taxis known as Zémidjans. Cotonou is busy, lively and scenically beautiful.
If Cotonou is your next designated destination, then book one of these flights to Cotonou with South African Airways. With SAA you’ll get a top-of-the line flight experience that includes an impressive wine selection and a meal prepared by our chefs, whose skill in the kitchen has secured us an honorary membership from the South African Chefs Association.
Looking for accommodation in Benin? We can help you with that too! We have partnered with the best and, in turn, we are able to offer you the best.
Use this page to book your flights to Cotonou, arrange accommodation, and learn about our check-in options. Choose a top-of-the line flight experience by choosing to fly SAA.
Check-in for flights to Cotonou
Check-in times
- Check-in time for all regional flights is 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Online check-in for e-ticket holders opens 24 hours before flight departures and closes 2 hours prior to international flight departures.
Online check-in
SAA offers an internet check-in service. Check-in online
This service enables you to:
- Print your boarding pass up to 24 hours prior to flight departure.
- Select or change your seat.
Mobile check-in
SAA’smobile check-in service allows you to check in from your internet-enabled mobile phone. Go to m.flysaa.com and:
- Submit your e-ticket number or booking reference number on the check-in screen.
- Download your online boarding pass including Apple's Passbook.
- On arrival at the airport show your online boarding pass to security for scanning.
Self check-in kiosks
Our self-service check-in kiosks are available at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
Use these user-friendly touchscreen devices to:
- Print your boarding pass; and
- Select your seat.
Please note that:
- This check-in option is available to all passengers with confirmed flight tickets on South African Airways.
- All self-service check-in kiosks close 90 minutes before departure time.
Bag drop counter
- Bag drop counters are for passengers with checked baggage who have checked in using flysaa.com or a self-service check-in kiosk.
- After you’ve printed your online boarding pass, proceed to the bag drop counter where your baggage will be tagged and sent to the aircraft.
Cotonou Car Rental and Airports Transfers
Once you have booked your flights to Cotonou with SAA, you can also book your vehicle rental or airport transfer, right here. All you need to do is follow the link below, select your requirements, and rest easy knowing that your transport needs will be taken care of by Africa’s leading airline carrier.
Car Rental
Airport Transfers
Cotonou Hotels
Accommodations that offer you comfort and style on a budget are available to you in Cotonou. Let Hotels.com® help you find the right accommodation. Just follow the link.
Things to do in Cotonou
- Bab’s Dock. Ranked Cotonou’s Number 1 restaurant by TripAdvisor.com, it offers you a deliciously authentic taste of West Africa, as well as a friendly, relaxed and welcoming vibe. Located on the scenic Route de Peches. A half hour drive and a 10 minute boat ride from Cotonou, this little restaurant which is situated on a dock, guarantees good food, great service and a tranquil, enchanting environment. You won’t want to leave!
- Fidjrosse Beach. Arguably the best beach in Cotonou. The view is fantastic and there are a few quaint little restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a drink and some snacks. If you intend to go for a swim, do so before Sunday 4 pm as it can get crowded thereafter.
- Foundation Zinsou. This is the place where Benin’s contemporary artworks are exhibited. Forget traditional art, because this is where individual spirit is celebrated. There is also an excellent museum shop that sells loads of interesting curiosities, and don’t be surprised if you see hordes of school children. This charitable foundation prides itself on exposing children to art and giving them access to its libraries.