Overview
Burkina Faso sits at the heart of West Africa, a landlocked country known for warm hospitality, rich Sahelian culture and a proud artistic tradition — it hosts FESPACO, one of Africa's biggest film festivals. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every journey involves a connection, but the capital, Ouagadougou, is reasonably well linked to Europe through a handful of reliable hubs. Before booking, always check the latest FCDO travel advice for Burkina Faso, as security guidance for parts of the country can change.
Best time to fly to Burkina Faso
The most comfortable months are the dry season from November to February, when daytime heat is manageable and skies are clear, though the harmattan wind can bring a dusty haze. March to May is intensely hot, often above 40°C. The rainy season runs roughly June to September, bringing greener landscapes and lower demand. If you hope to attend FESPACO, note it falls in odd-numbered years, usually late February. For fare guidance, see the When to book chart above and the price charts on this page.
Main gateway cities & airports
Almost all UK travellers arrive into Ouagadougou (airport code OUA), the country's principal international gateway. Bobo-Dioulasso (BOY) in the south-west is the second city and handles mainly regional flights. Ouagadougou's airport is close to the city centre, so transfers to central hotels are short.
Airlines and routes
From the UK you will connect through a European or African hub. Air France flies via Paris, Brussels Airlines via Brussels (a long-standing link to Ouagadougou) and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, while Royal Air Maroc connects through Casablanca and Ethiopian Airlines through Addis Ababa. From London, expect around 9 to 12 hours in total including the stop; from Manchester or other regional airports, allow 11 to 14 hours depending on the connection.
Popular places to visit in Burkina Faso
- Ouagadougou: the lively capital, home to the National Museum, a large craft village and the bustling Grand Marché.
- Bobo-Dioulasso: the cultural second city, known for its mud-brick Grande Mosquée and the historic Kibidwé quarter.
- Banfora area: the Karfiguéla waterfalls, the wind-sculpted Fabedougou domes and hippo-dotted Lake Tengrela.
- Sindou Peaks: a dramatic ridge of eroded rock spires near the Malian border, ideal for walking.
- Ruins of Loropéni: Burkina Faso's UNESCO World Heritage site, centuries-old stone walls tied to the trans-Saharan gold trade.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Burkina Faso
- Compare hubs — a routing via Casablanca or Istanbul is often cheaper than via Paris or Brussels, so check each option.
- Travel in the rainy season (June to September) for the lowest fares, and use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest weeks.
- Book roughly two to four months ahead; last-minute seats on these connecting routes are limited and expensive.
- Stay flexible by a day or two either side of your ideal date, and check the When to book chart above before you commit.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa to enter Burkina Faso; arrange it before you travel, as there is no reliable visa on arrival. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required and antimalarials are strongly advised. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro; carry cash, as card acceptance is limited outside major hotels. For the best value, book two to four months ahead and check current FCDO advice before finalising your plans.
