WARNING: Travel in Sudan outside Khartoum, Omdurman and the Northern State is considered dangerous. Two borderline civil wars continue to see violence, in Southern Sudan and particularly in Darfur, while extremist groups target foreign visitors for attacks and kidnapping, particularly in the Upper Nile regions and near the Ethiopian border. The U.S. State Department has renewed its travel warning for Sudan, and continues to recommend against all non-essential travel to the country.
Permits And Other Legal Requirements
Registration
is obligatory within 3 days of arrival. It costs 110 SDG and if in Khartoum it could take you a full day. Alternately many hotels will complete the registration on your behalf. Registration is also possible in Wadi Halfa, and shouldn't take more than an hour. Here, you may be approached particularly if you're in a group by an English-speaking man who will offer to take your passports and do everything while you wait outside. This is easier than doing it yourself it is a ping pong procedure between offices/counters/desks etc. but you'll find the fee he's added to each person's registration cost is 2 to 3 US dollars. It's not really that difficult. Do not be tempted to skip registration, as it is very likely to cause problems when you leave the country - you might not be allowed to board your flight!Departing from the Khartoum airport, at passport control counter after you've paid your departure tax, and checked in with the airline, you will be turned back. There is a VISA office in the same room who will require payment and a passport picture. With the proper amount of money in Sudanese Pounds, and a passport this took approximately 30 minutes.
Visitors are technically required to obtain a permit for photography of any kind. Apply at the government office near the British Council. Passport-sized photos are needed and the permit makes a nice souvenir. The permit will stipulate where you can or cannot take photos.
By plane
Khartoum Airport KRT is the main gateway into Sudan by air. There are also some international flights which use Port Sudan airport.
Khartoum Airport is served by various European, Middle Eastern and African airlines. Among the cities with direct air links with Khartoum are Abu Dhabi Etihad, Sudan Airways, Addis Ababa Ethiopian Airlines, Amman Royal Jordanian, Sudan Airways, Amsterdam KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Bahrain Gulf Air, Cairo EgyptAir, Sudan Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Damascus Syrian Airlines, Sudan Airways, Doha Qatar Airways, Dubai Emirates, Sudan Airways, Frankfurt Lufthansa, Istanbul Turkish Airlines, London British Airways, British Midlands, Sudan Airways and Nairobi Kenya Airways, Sudan Airways,Sharjah Air Arabia low cost airline
Port Sudan airport handles flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Cairo. These flights usually begin/end at Khartoum.
The airport is served by dilapidated yellow taxis that will routinely overcharge. Alternatively you can book taxis with a Khartoum taxi company called LimoTrip that use metered taxis and good vehicles at better rates - 00249 183 591 313 or [email protected].
By ship
The most reliable way to enter Sudan from Egypt is via the weekly ferry from Aswan in Egypt to Wadi Halfa. Currently it runs on Mondays to Sudan and back on Wednesdays. Prices recently went up to US$33. The boat is old and crowded with people and goods the best place to sleep is on deck amongst the cargo but it takes in some magnificent views including that of Abu Simbel. Food and drink are available on-board. There are frequent ferries from Saudi Arabia. If traveling from the south, ferry tickets can be purchased at Khartoum's main train terminal in North Khartoum.
By train
There are no international trains from neighbouring countries into Sudan.