Travel · The Gambia

Flights and arrivals in The Gambia

Last reviewed on May 2, 2026.

Almost every visitor to The Gambia arrives by air, into Banjul International Airport (IATA: BJL) at Yundum. This guide covers how that journey usually works, what arrival looks like in practice, and how to get from the terminal to wherever you are staying.

The country has one international airport

Banjul International Airport, sometimes still called Yundum International, is the only commercial international airport in The Gambia. It sits about 25 kilometres south-west of central Banjul and roughly the same distance from the main coastal hotel strip around Senegambia, Kotu, and Kololi. The terminal is compact, with a single arrivals hall and a single departures hall.

Common routes in

Most travelers fly into Banjul on one of two route types.

Direct services from Europe

Several European carriers and tour operators run seasonal direct flights, mostly during the dry season (November to May). These routes typically connect Banjul with cities such as Brussels, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, Manchester, Birmingham, Barcelona, and Frankfurt. Schedule, frequency, and operators change between seasons; check current timetables when you book.

Connecting services through African hubs

Year-round connections are usually routed through African hubs — most commonly Casablanca, Dakar, Nouakchott, Lagos, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi — depending on which alliance you fly. These connections are often the better choice for travelers from outside Europe.

Charter and package flights

A meaningful share of arrivals during the European winter come on charter or tour-operator flights bundled with hotel stays. They are often a competitive option if your dates are flexible.

Booking tips

Direct seasonal flights between Europe and Banjul fill quickly around school holidays. If you have fixed dates, book early.
Single-connection routings via Casablanca, Dakar, or Brussels are generally smoother than two-connection itineraries.
Watch baggage allowances on charters and on smaller regional carriers — they vary widely from full-service airlines.
Consider arriving in daylight on a first visit. Daytime arrivals make ground transport simpler.

What arrival looks like

The terminal is small and the process is straightforward. After landing you walk across the apron to the arrivals hall, queue at immigration, collect your bag from a single carousel, and pass through customs. Outside the arrivals door you find taxi drivers, hotel transfer reps, and a small parking area.

Have to hand: a passport with at least six months of validity beyond your planned departure, your visa or proof of visa-exempt status, your accommodation address, and a return or onward ticket if requested.

Getting from the airport to your hotel

You have three reasonable options.

1. Hotel transfer

If your accommodation is part of a tour package or a larger resort, a transfer is often included or available for a flat fee. The driver meets you with a name sign in the arrivals hall. This is the simplest option for first-time visitors and after late or long-haul flights.

2. Tourist taxi

Green-painted "tourist taxis" run from the rank just outside arrivals. Fares to the main hotel strip (Senegambia, Kotu, Kololi, Bakau, Fajara) are higher than ordinary taxis but agreed before you set off. Drivers usually quote in dalasi but accept some hard currency.

3. Yellow taxi

Ordinary yellow taxis are cheaper and metered or fixed by negotiation. They are fine if you are confident, traveling light, and comfortable agreeing a price up front.

Travel time to the main hotel strip is typically 25–45 minutes outside of peak times.

Money on arrival

There are exchange counters in the arrivals area. Rates at the airport are workable for a small amount, but you can usually do better at exchange offices in Banjul, Serrekunda, or Senegambia later in the day. ATMs at the terminal can be unreliable; do not rely on them as your only plan. The money and payments guide has more.

Connectivity on arrival

Local SIMs are sold in small shops near the airport and across the coastal strip. Bring an unlocked phone and you can be online within an hour or two of landing. Many hotels also provide Wi-Fi.

Departure tips

Allow plenty of time. Check-in queues for European-bound flights can be long during peak season.
Departure tax is normally included in airline tickets, but verify on your booking.
Banjul departures often experience early morning or late-night peaks. Plan transport accordingly.

Common mistakes

Booking through obscure aggregators with very long layovers. A direct or single-connection ticket is usually worth a modest premium.
Counting on airport ATMs. Carry a small amount of cash to cover the first transfer.
Underestimating peak-season check-in queues. Two hours minimum for short-haul, three for long-haul charters.
Assuming all carriers maintain year-round service. Many European routes are seasonal.