Travel Essentials

Sudan: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types C and D, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 999. Tipping: Small tips for drivers and hotel staff are customary; however, a civil war has been ongoing since April 2023 and nearly all governments advise against all travel to Sudan. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Sudan Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and D, 230 V

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything

999

Tipping

Small tips for drivers and hotel staff are customary; however, a civil war has been ongoing since April 2023 and nearly all governments advise against all travel to Sudan.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, meningococcal; rabies and hepatitis B for some travelers.
Malaria: Risk throughout the country, including Khartoum; ask about preventive tablets.

Apps To Download Before You Go

Bankak (Bank of Khartoum): The most-used mobile banking app, which became the main way to pay when cash ran short; it requires a local account, and foreign cards do not work in Sudan.
WhatsApp: The main channel for coordinating with contacts, drivers and aid organizations; connectivity is unreliable.
Starlink: Satellite internet has become a lifeline in many areas after mobile networks collapsed.
Tirhal: Sudan's local ride-hailing app, which operated in Khartoum before the war and in Port Sudan and other cities where service allows.
Lemon / Kaya: Other Sudanese ride and delivery apps that have worked in accessible cities.
Fawry Sudan / Sahil: Local payment and bill apps used by residents; visitors should carry US dollars in cash.
Zain Sudan / MTN Sudan / Sudani: Apps of the three operators for prepaid data; networks are frequently disrupted by the conflict.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Handshakes are common between men; greetings are warm and unhurried, with inquiries about family and health expected.

Dress modestly. Conservative, modest dress is expected for both men and women in this Muslim-majority country.

Ramadan etiquette. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours during Ramadan.

Safety And Scams

Sudan is under a 'Do Not Travel' advisory from most Western governments due to ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, with widespread fighting, landmines, unexploded ordnance, kidnapping risk, and collapsed infrastructure in many regions.

Currency exchange fraud. Given economic instability, only exchange money through established, trusted channels, not street touts.

Checkpoint extortion. Armed checkpoints run by various factions may demand money or documents; this is a serious security risk, not a petty scam.

Women travelers. Travel for women is not advisable at present given the active conflict; normal precautions are secondary to the overriding security risk.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can carry severe penalties including the death penalty in some circumstances; there is no safety for openly LGBTQ+ people in Sudan.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	SDG 1,500	$1.20
Local bus or metro ride	SDG 500	$0.40
Mid-range restaurant meal	SDG 8,000	$6.50
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	SDG 6,000	$5
Mid-range hotel (night)	SDG 60,000	$48
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	SDG 90,000	$72

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

Sudan is not currently a viable tourist destination due to ongoing armed conflict since 2023; historically the cooler, drier November-February period was best for visiting Nile and desert sites.

Phrases

Basic Arabic phrases · Basic English phrases · Basic Arabic (Sudanese) phrases