Maputo Airport

Welcome

Maputo Airport (MPM) serves as Mozambique's gateway, maintaining the charm of a compact African city outpost rather than a polished aviation hub. This airport operates with personal negotiation—cash-only payments, haggling for taxis, and variable Wi-Fi connections define the experience. Operating near the central Maputo, just 3 kilometers away, travelers encounter an airport that's intimate and quiet, yet bustling with manual processes for immigration, customs, and baggage handling that can be slow but straightforward.

At a glance

Handling approximately 920,000 passengers annually, Maputo Airport consists of two terminals. Terminal A caters to international flights and hosts airlines such as LAM Mozambique Airlines, South African Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines. Terminal B, more serene and local-oriented, handles domestic travel with LAM Mozambique Airlines and CM Airlines among the carriers. The airport effectively serves travelers with limited but essential amenities, ensuring a takeoff that feels more personal than modern airports, albeit with some delays.

Terminals & layout

Terminal A includes international departures and arrivals, where facilities like the Airport Cafe, Snack Bar Maramara, and the VIP Lounge Maputo provide some respite. The duty-free shop, gift shop, and currency exchange facilities are your go-to spots in this terminal. In contrast, Terminal B is quieter, with simpler offerings such as the Snack Bar Terminal B and a Souvenir Shop catering to domestic flights.

Getting to and from the city

The airport is a mere 15-20 minute drive from the heart of Maputo. For transport, options include negotiating taxi fares at the official rank for $10-15, using hotel shuttle services, or opting for a pre-booked private transfer to avoid the haggling altogether. Chapas, Maputo’s shared minibuses, do not directly serve the airport and are best avoided by travelers with baggage. Ride-hail apps are available, though local options may vary in reliability.

Traveller essentials

Travelers should be prepared with cash (meticais) upon arrival to facilitate smoother interactions, especially given the cash-driven culture for taxis and other services. ATMs and currency exchange are present but occasionally subject to outages and less favorable rates than in town. SIM cards and further cash withdrawals are best organized in central Maputo to avoid potential airport delays.

Dining & shopping highlights

Though limited, dining at Maputo Airport provides essentials through establishments like Café Maputo and Bar Aeroporto. Shops, such as Duty Free Maputo and Gift Shop Maputo, offer a selection of local memorabilia and essentials. The small cafés with working Wi-Fi make them functional stopping points for those needing online access.

Lounges

The VIP Lounge in Terminal A offers an upgraded waiting area with basic services, though it's not extensively advertised. Terminal B has a quieter Domestic VIP Lounge that provides a comfortable space away from the hubbub of the main seating areas, ideal for those traveling to regional destinations.

Insider tips

• Insider: Grab a drink at a café in Terminal A for the price of Wi-Fi; official airport Wi-Fi often doesn’t work reliably.
• Money: Expect to wrap bags for about 200 MZN each; negotiate taxi prices clearly before travel for typical costs between $10-15.
• Avoid: Bypass offers of taxi rides within the terminal; use the official taxi rank for more predictable pricing and safety.
• Quiet: Terminal B offers a calmer atmosphere, ideal for relaxing before domestic flights.
• Local: Arriving early offers the chance to check in luggage and head into town for a meal before your flight, given the airport's proximity to central Maputo.
• Time: Arrive earlier than at large Western airports; manual check-ins and security often delay progress even at this small airport.
• Insider: Aviation enthusiasts get an up-close view of regional carriers from certain window gates, including military and UN movements occasionally.