The Gambia

How to get to Gambia: airports, flights and border crossings

Fly into Banjul International (BJL) at Yundum, 15–20 km (9.3–12 mi) from the Atlantic coast resorts — it is the only airport in The Gambia with scheduled passenger flights. Most travellers arrive on winter charter or connecting flights via Europe or West Africa. Land entry from Senegal is possible; sea arrival is not practical.Fly into Banjul International (BJL) at Yundum, 9.3–12 mi (15–20 km) from the Atlantic coast resorts — it is the only airport in The Gambia with scheduled passenger flights. Most travellers arrive on winter charter or connecting flights via Europe or West Africa. Land entry from Senegal is possible; sea arrival is not practical.

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Updated Sep 20263 min read

GuideThe Gambia

Key facts

Main airportcheck: Banjul International (BJL), Yundum, about 15–20 km from Kololi and Kotu
Other airportscheck: None with scheduled passenger service
Typical flight timecheck: About 6 h from the UK; 9–11 h from the US east coast with a connection; 20 h+ from Australia or NZ
Best-value windowcheck: November to April, when winter charter and scheduled seats peak
Land entrycheck: From Senegal by road via the Trans-Gambia corridor or the western border near Kartong
Sea entrycheck: No scheduled passenger ferry or cruise call to rely on
Airport transfercheck: Taxi to the coast resorts, roughly 30–45 minutes
Visacheck: Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays; confirm before booking

Quick answer

Banjul International (BJL) is the airport to book. It sits at Yundum, inland from the coast, and the resort strip from Kololi to Cape Point is a 30–45 minute taxi ride away. Almost every visitor arrives this way, usually on a winter charter from Europe or on a scheduled service with one connection.

If you are already in Senegal, you can cross by road instead. There is no scheduled sea route worth planning around.

Summary table

Use this to pick your route before you search fares.

Summary table
Route	Hub or crossing	Time	Notes
From the UK	London, Manchester or regional charters	About 6 h direct	Winter season has the most direct seats (check)
From the US	Europe or West Africa connection	9–11 h total	No nonstop service (check)
From Canada	Europe connection	11–14 h total	Usually via London, Paris or Brussels (check)
From Australia or NZ	Europe or Middle East connection	20 h+ total	Longest option; plan an overnight stop (check)
From Senegal	Road via Trans-Gambia corridor	Half a day from Dakar	Border formalities at Amdallai or the western crossing (check)
By sea	Banjul port	Not scheduled	No passenger service to plan around (check)

Step by step

First, fix your dates around the season. November to April is when charter and scheduled capacity into BJL is highest and fares are most competitive; the green season from June to October has fewer flights and more cancellations.

Second, choose your routing. From Europe, look for a direct winter charter or a scheduled flight from a hub such as London, Brussels, Paris or Casablanca. From North America, connect through one of those European hubs or through West Africa. From Australia and New Zealand, expect at least two connections and consider breaking the trip.

Third, book the airport transfer or confirm your hotel's pickup. Taxis meet every arrival, but agree the fare before you get in, and pay in dalasi where you can.

Fourth, sort entry paperwork before departure. Check your passport validity, your visa or visa-free status, and any yellow fever certificate requirement if you are arriving from a country with transmission risk.

Book flights first, then accommodation — winter seats sell out before beds do.
Allow at least 2 hours between connections if you are self-transferring in Europe.
Keep a printed copy of your booking and passport page for border officials.

Notes

BJL is small and can be slow at peak arrival times; do not book a tight onward connection on the same day.

Land crossings from Senegal can involve long queues and informal fees. Use a reputable operator or a shared vehicle rather than a random roadside car.

If you are arriving by road, carry your yellow fever certificate — it is commonly checked at the border.

Baggage allowances on charter flights are often tighter than on scheduled carriers; check before you pack.

FAQ

Sources and verification

Questions people ask

What is the best airport to fly into for Gambia?

Banjul International (BJL) at Yundum. It is the only airport in The Gambia with scheduled passenger flights, and it is 15–20 km from the Atlantic coast resorts.

How long is the flight to Gambia from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?

About 6 hours direct from the UK, 9–11 hours from the US east coast with a connection, 11–14 hours from Canada, and 20 hours or more from Australia or New Zealand. All figures are estimates; check your specific routing.

Can I enter Gambia by land or sea?

Yes by land from Senegal, via the Trans-Gambia corridor or the western border near Kartong. Sea entry is not practical — there is no scheduled passenger ferry or cruise call to rely on.

Do I need a visa to enter Gambia?

Many nationalities enter visa-free for short tourist stays, but rules change. Confirm your status with the nearest Gambian embassy or high commission before booking.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Gambia?

The green season from June to October usually has lower fares but fewer flights. November to April has the most capacity and the highest demand.

How do I get from Banjul airport to my hotel?

By taxi, roughly 30–45 minutes to the Kololi, Kotu or Cape Point area. Agree the fare before you get in, or arrange a hotel pickup in advance.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check