Country whence one formerly got home in a day (5)

I believe the answer is:

benin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'country' is the definition.
(I know that Benin is a country)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for benin that I've seen before include "West African country, formerly French colony of Dahomey" , "West African republic" , "East African state" , "Old West African kingdom from which 'bronze' sculptures were looted by the British in 1897" , "Republic in West Africa" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app