Yemen Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Traditional values are still very much part of everyday life and visitors will be treated with traditional courtesies and hospitality. Many of the population work in agriculture, with several thousand dependent on fishing. The rest live and work in towns and there is a small nomadic minority living along the northern edges of the desert. Guns become more noticeable further north, slung over the shoulder and carried in addition to the traditional jambia (dagger). In towns, women are veiled with black or colored cloth, while in the villages such customs are not observed. Yemenis commonly chew qat, a locally grown shrub bearing shoots that have a stimulant effect (similar to caffeine), chewed in markets and cafes but more stylishly sitting on cushions in a guestroom or mafrai at the top of a multistory Yemeni house.

For the visitor, conservative casual clothes are suitable; visiting businesspeople are expected to wear suits. Men need to wear a jacket and tie for formal occasions and in smart dining rooms. Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Smoking is forbidden during Ramadan. Foreigners are requested not to smoke, eat or drink in public.

Photography: Tourists should not take photos of women, military places, police personnel or installations.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Yemen Airways (Yemenia) (IY) (website: www.yemenia.com).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Sana’a (SAH) (El-Rahaba) is 13km (8 miles) north of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Transport to the city center is by taxi. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, duty-free shop, baggage facilities, restaurants and car hire.

Taiz (TAI) (al-Janad) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (journey time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis, buses and car hire are available.

Hodaidah (HOD) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis, buses and car hire are available.

Aden (ADE) (Khormaksar) is 11km (7 miles) from the city (journey time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Limited bus and taxi services available.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Aden (website: www.portofaden.com), Hodeida, Mocha, Mukalla and Nashton.

Cargo vessels with passenger berths call at Hodeida.

Getting There by Road
Driving to Yemen is not recommended but the main border crossing points are Haradh and Al Bura’ in the North from Saudi Arabia and Hadnut in the East from Oman.

Overview
The following items may be imported into the Republic of Yemen without incurring customs duty:

• 600 cigarettes or 60 cigars or 450g of tobacco.
• Two bottles of alcoholic beverages (non-Muslims only).
• One bottle of perfume or eau de toilette.
• Gifts up to a value of YER100,000.
• Gold ornaments (women only) weighing up to 350g.

Prohibited Imports
Firearms, illegal drugs, obscene literature, all products of Israeli origin.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Yemen Airways (IY) (website: www.yemenia.com) operates services between Sana’a, Ta’izz and Hodeida. There are also flights from Aden. It is advisable to double-check flight reservations and times before departure.

Getting Around by Water
Local ferries connect local ports. For details, contact port authorities. Mariners should be aware that there is the possibility of attacks against ships and, in particular, yachts off the Yemen coast, especially in the Gulf of Aden. Travelers are advised against yachting in this area.

Getting Around by Road
Road conditions and driving standards are quite poor and many roads are in a state of disrepair, with mountain roads particularly hazardous. Within Sana’a and from Ta’izz to Mokha, the roads are reliable. From Aden to Ta’izz is three to five hours’ driving time. A road links Aden and Sana’a, otherwise the road network is mainly limited to desert tracks. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles and a guide is recommended. There is a road from Aden to Mukalla of 500km (310 miles). Officially, traffic drives on the right but sometimes drivers travel on the left.

Bus: There are regular intercity bus services.

Taxi: Recognisable by yellow license plates. Taxi-sharing is the cheapest transport between cities. There are minimum charges within main cities but fares should be negotiated beforehand for intercity journeys.

Car hire: Available in main towns; 4-wheel drive is recommended. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available.

Regulations: The maximum speed limit is 100kph (62mph) but this is rarely enforced. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in a fine or prison sentence.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. A temporary license valid for three months is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national license.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Sana’a to other major cities/towns in the Republic of Yemen.

	Air	Road
Ta’izz	0.45	3.30
Hodeida	0.40	3.00
Aden	0.45	4.30

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