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French Guiana flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · French Guiana

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in French Guiana

Public transit, airports, and getting around

French Guiana, an overseas French department in South America, has a transportation landscape shaped by its dense coastal population and vast rainforest interior. Key strengths include toll-free roads along RN1 and RN2 connecting Cayenne to borders, Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport for international access, and the pioneering YanéO BRT system launched in February 2026 to combat urban congestion. Challenges persist with limited public transport coverage beyond urban corridors, reliance on private vehicles and taxis, and no rail network. Residents and visitors favor car rentals for flexibility, supplemented by emerging BRT, shared taxis, and pirogues for river travel.
Public Transport
Below Average
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
4.2/10

Basic public transport dominated by limited TIG interurban buses with infrequent schedules along coastal routes. Cayenne's new YanéO BRT (inaugurated Feb 2026) offers 2 lines (10.1km, 21 stations) with dedicated lanes, WiFi, and video surveillance, serving 31,000 residents. No metro, trains, or airport buses; taxi collectifs fill gaps. Coverage limited to coastal urban areas.

Road Infrastructure
5.8/10

Toll-free road network focused on coastal RN1 (Cayenne to Suriname border via Kourou) and RN2 (to Brazil border). Adequate paved highways with good maintenance in populated areas, but limited extent and poor interior access. Urban congestion in Cayenne addressed by new BRT dedicated lanes. Safety features basic; no extensive motorway system.

Internet Speed
6.2/10

Moderate broadband speeds in urban Cayenne, with fiber expanding via Orange and DIGICEL. Rural and interior areas lag with 4G reliance. Investments support connectivity for remote work and space industry.

Avg: 72.5+ Mbps • Available in Cayenne and Kourou; expanding to Matoury, limited elsewhere

Airport Connectivity
6.1/10

Cayenne-Félix Eboué (CAY) is the main international airport with flights to Paris, regional Caribbean/South America destinations. 22 total airports, mostly small strips. No direct public transport from CAY; car rental/taxi essential. Serves as ESA spaceport gateway.

Hubs: Cayenne-Félix Eboué (CAY)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
N/A (BRT monthly passes ~€40-50)
Bus Trip
€1.50-2 single TIG/BRT ride
Taxi
€3-5 start + €1.50-2/km; collectifs €2-5 fixed
High-speed Train
Not available (no rail network)

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Launched in Cayenne 2025, urban coverage expanding to Kourou; limited rural
4G Coverage: 90%+ population coverage along coast; spotty interior

Reliable Orange and DIGICEL networks in populated areas support 4G LTE widely, with 5G in Cayenne for high-speed data. Coverage drops in rainforest interiors; good for urban BRT apps and navigation.

Driving License

EU licenses validConversion needed

EU/EEA licenses valid indefinitely as French territory. Non-EU licenses valid 1 year with IDP recommended. Long-term residents (over 1 year) must exchange for French license via prefecture with residency proof.

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