Abuja

Several airlines, including Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways, operate international flights to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. Beginning in June 2010, Delta Air Lines will provide a direct service from New York’s JFK airport. Many travelers arrive in Lagos through connecting flights.

While the sector is being restructured and aviation safety is being improved, only a few local airlines can be relied on: AeroContractors, Arik Air, and Chanchangi. Arik Air has begun on an ambitious initiative that will see the addition of six brand new jetliners to its fleet, including the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

It is advisable to take the official Green Cab from the airport. It is recommended that you ride in the taxi with only persons you know.

A new inter-city line between Abuja and Kaduna, which would link to the rest of the Nigerian rail system, is being built and is slated to open in either 2016 or 2017.

Buses may take you to Abuja from major cities including as Lagos, Benin, Kano, and Port Harcourt. ABC Transport (with air-conditioned deluxe bus trips), Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco Transport (CTN), and Young Shall Grow are all dependable services. ABC transportation is the recommended bus service.

However, you should only do day trips from Lagos or Kano. You should be aware that bus rides are not always secure, since buses have been assaulted by criminals in rare cases. Take a bus with an escort if you are unfamiliar with the nation. Buses enable you to admire the landscape, towns, and cities, as well as the subtle variations in these and culture, as you journey towards the capital from either the south or the north.

At the present, driving or using a cab is the primary form of transportation in Abuja, while public transportation is restricted. However, a new commuter rail line is being built and is scheduled to operate in 2016.

Abuja has a few tough traffic regulations that are strictly enforced. Both the driver and the front seat passenger must wear seat belts. Failure to comply with this legislation results in substantial inconvenience since the car is held and not freed until the fee is paid. Drivers in the city seldom follow lanes and often seek to squeeze in what seems to be dangerously close to your car. They may drive on the sidewalks in certain circumstances.

Because traffic accidents are common, drive defensively. Drivers from other regions of the nation who are unfamiliar with the city’s driving culture may sometimes attempt to beat traffic signals. Keep a watch out for other drivers, particularly near crossroads, who may attempt to beat the traffic lights. During outages, traffic lights sometimes cease functioning, and road marshals are sent to crucial crossroads.

The Phase 1 area of the city is divided into ten districts known as cadastral zones:

Central Cadastral Zone A00
Garki I District Cadastral Zone A01
Wuse 1 District Cadastral Zone A02
Garki II District Cadastral Zone A03
Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04
Maitama Districts Cadastral Zone A05
Maitama Cadastral Zone A06
Wuse II Districts (Cadastral Zone A07 & Cadastral Zone A08)
Guzape District Cadastral Zone A09

There are also sixteen districts in Phase 2.

Kukwuaba Cadastral Zone B00,
Gudu Cadastral Zone B01,
Durumi Cadastral Zone B02,
Wuye Cadastral Zone B03,
Jabi Cadastral Zone B04,
Utako Cadastral Zone B05,
Mabuchi Cadastral Zone B06,
Jahi Cadastral Zone B08,
Kado Cadastral Zone B09,
Dakibiyu Cadastral Zone B10,
Kaura Cadastral Zone B11,
Duboyi Cadastral Zone B12,
Gaduwa Cadastral Zone B13,
Dutse Cadastral Zone B14.
Katampe Ext Cadastral Zone B19,

The Phase 3 districts are:

Institution and Research Cadastral Zone C00,
Karmo Cadastral Zone C01,
Gwarinpa Cadastral Zone C02.
Dape Cadastral Zone C04,
Kafe Cadastral Zone C05
Nbora Cadastral Zone C06,
Galadimawa Cadastral Zone C07,
Dakwo Cadastral Zone C08,
Lokogoma Cadastral Zone C09,
Wumba Cadastral Zone C10,
Idu Industrial Cadastral Zone C16

Tourist (Backpacker) – 79 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 189 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

• Aso Rock. The city’s most visible landmark, a 400-metre monolith.
• National Mosque. Built in 1984, it is accessible to non-Muslims except for praying.
• National Church of Nigeria. A vast interdenominational church constructed in the neo-Gothic style.
• National Assembly Compelx.
• Abuja Millennium Park. A vast recreational park that serves as the primary escape for locals. Includes a massive network of terraces illustrating the various vegetation zones found across the nation.

Food costs in Abuja are exorbitant, particularly for Western cuisine. There are, however, numerous excellent restaurants in Abuja that are probably worth the money. Of course, whether you reside in Abuja or are just visiting, there are instances when you are ready to spend a bit more simply because there are few to no options.

• Exclusive Supermarket 1202 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II. A cafe/coffeeshop at the supermarket’s rear serves nice salads, a few Lebanese specialties, ice cream, coffee, and basic pizza and grilled cuisine. Low-cost (Nicoise Salad takeout for N1000).

• Love Pizza Freshly baked Italian pizza made with the finest ingredients. Pizza, wings, salads. Eat in, take out & delivery; +2348054447945. 2 Bouar close, Bangui street, off Ademola Adetokuno Crescent, Wuse 2. (beside Jevenik)
• Schwarma Shop, adjacent to Amigos Supermarket, Wuse II. 700 Naira for Schwarmas and they offer pizzas for somewhere from 1500 Naira.
• Southern Fried Chicken. A local knockoff of KFC, but ask them to go easy on the mayo.
• Mr. Biggs. All over. Burgers.
• Schwarma Shop, adjacent to 212 Supermarket, Usuma St., Maitama. These Schwarmas have cabbage on them. About same price as the one by Amigos
• City View, Cape Town Street, Off IBB Way, Wuse Zone 4. Perhaps the greatest Lebanese cuisine in Abuja, at reasonable rates; they also cater to big parties, with indoor and outdoor seating.
• Ceddi Plaza – On the second floor of Ceddi Plaza, there is a fast food Chicken restaurant, as well as an ice cream shop.
• Drumstix, Aminu Kano Crescent. Fast food, Nigerian dishes, Grill, Shawarma and Ice cream.
• Tantalizers Burgers. All over.
• Cafe at Grand Square, Mohammadu Buhari Way.
• Cafe at Dunes, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, one on the main floor and one upstairs.
• MrPickup.biz, Delivery service. Picks up your orders and brings to you for a small fee! +234 (0) 702 828 6771.
• Spice Food In front of Sahad Store, across from Bolton White Hotels, Ahmadu Bellu Road. 07031111005, 08034500653. Delicious Indian food and snacks at very reasonable prices. Main course N1000-N1500, snacks N300-N600. Su-F buffet 12PM-3PM N2000. Dinner 6PM-10PM

• Ciao, Jitau Plaza, Plot 1173, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, After AP plaza, Wuse II. A nice Italian restaurant serving traditional Italian fare. A supper with wine should cost roughly 2000 Naira. Good pizza, but AJ’s has a little more to them.
• AJ’s Pizza, adjacent to the Park and Shop in Wuse II, Aminu Kano Crescent, call your order in before you get there 0803 314 0469 or 0804 410 4567, if your order 5 pizzas, ask for free juice.
• Chopsticks, Plot 66 Mississippi St. Maitama. Good Chinese food, a couple should share one order of a main dish and either rice or noodles. 2000-about 5000 Naira for main dishes. Has cocktail bar.
• Sitar, 46 Usuma St. Maitama. Indian food.
• Chez Victor, 7 Ganges Street (Off Alvan Ikoku Way, next to NEPAD Nigeria office),  +234 815 519 0829. Reasonably high quality French food and some francophone African dishes such as yassa poulet. Sandwiches with lunchtime specials. Nice house converted into comfortable restaurant. Nigerian owned. Main dishes from ₦2000.
• Wakkis, Like Sitar but more reasonable prices, this might be considered moderate instead of Splurge. Amino Kano Crescent, follow signs, Wuse II. 1500-2500 main dishes, good seafood. Amazing King Prawns!
• Blakes, Fish bar, add unknown, Garki District.
• Ubudu Grill Steakhouse at the Sheraton You won’t spend less than $50 USD here, but the steaks are excellent.
• Al Basha Palace Good Mediterranean & Continental food and Pizzas, Shisha. Outdoor, indoor events & parties… 11 Cassandra Street, off Usuma St, Maitama.
• LaZeez Place Recently Opened, Usuma Street, Maitama.
• Golf Course Has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, would be a good place to have large group gathering, not called Golf Course, but that is where it is.

Drinks are accessible around Abuja and are quite pricey. Some mixed cocktails cost about $20 USD on average. A local beer costs between $5 and $9. You will save a lot of money if you buy beer from the market. The big hotels feature bars and restaurants; but, keep an eye out for the call girls; if you ignore them, they get quite irritated. If you are not interested, just state your disinterest and have a brief dialogue with them, after which they will leave you alone.

• Smoothies Parlor.
• Ceddi Plaza On the basement level, there is a bar.
• Blakes There is live music or a DJ, as well as a seafood bar.
• British Village It requires a membership to attend and is popular during athletic events, particularly soccer and rugby.
• Amber Lounge is in Silverbird Galleria, Central Business District
• Orchard Garden. Set in a woodland, this local outdoor spot is close to Millennium Park. Beer is roughly 250N, and there is a small BBQ providing, for example, full cooked fish for 2000N.
• Saffron, 1,iyaraclose,off misau crescent,off ahmadu bello way,garki 2,abuja,  +234 7026349851.

The capital of Nigeria, Abuja, stands out against the rest of the country. While auto hijackings and violent robberies are common in Lagos, and kidnappings of foreign oil workers are common in the Niger delta, Abuja is one of the continent’s safest metropolises.

General security precautions, like in the rest of the globe, should be followed. When visiting new areas, it’s usually a good idea to have company, just like anyplace else in the globe.

As a foreign tourist, it is recommended to take the official Green Cabs for navigating about Abuja. There’s a potential that privately run unauthorized taxis are really traps.