Travel to Gambia

Flying to Gambia

Direct flights from London to Banjul are few and far between, however, Titan Airways (www.titan-airways.com) offers a direct flight service, flying from London Gatwick (LGW) weekly between May-Oct and twice weekly from London Gatwick (LGW), Birmingham (BHX) and Manchester (MAN) between Nov-April. Most holidaymakers arrive by charter flight. There are competitively priced charter flights. Brussels Airlines (www.brusselsairlines.com) flies to Banjul from Brussels.

Travellers from North America generally fly via Europe or Dakar as there are currently no direct scheduled flights available.

Notes

There is no airport bus to Banjul city centre but there are plenty of private tourist taxis available. Shuttle buses and minibuses are often arranged by hotels and resorts.

Airport Guides

Flight times

From London - 6 hours 30 minutes; New York – 12 hours 45 minutes (including stopovers).

Departure tax

Included in the air fare.

Travelling to Gambia by Rail

There are no passenger train services in The Gambia.

Driving to Gambia

All road borders are shared with Senegal and connections between the two are reasonably efficient. Private taxis can be hired between Dakar (Senegal) and Barra, from which there is a regular ferry service to Banjul. The journey takes around 35 minutes.

There is a second crossing point at Farafenni, en route from Dakar to Janjangbureh or westwards to Barra. To reach Banjul from Farafenni, you may also follow the Trans-Gambia Highway which connects northern and southern Gambia via the Senegambia Bridge. Once across, drive westwards to Banjul following the South Bank Road then continuing on Brikama Highway then Banjul Serrekunda Highway.

Government buses also run between The Gambia and Senegal, via Barra to Kaolak and Dakar; you may also travel via a Gambian coach service.

Getting to Gambia by boat

The Gambia isn’t very accessible by boat. Although there are freighters sailing to Banjul and it is possible to take a cabin on board one of these, it isn’t done regularly or cheaply.

Cruise ships

Cruise ships regularly stop in the capital of Banjul. Nestled on St. Mary’s Island on the Gambia River, it is the main point of call for ocean vessels.

Ferry operators

There are currently no scheduled boats between Senegal and The Gambia. Large pirogues carry passengers from Djifer to Banjul but the crossing is frequently rough, crowded and unsafe.