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Gambia Airport Transfers: Costs, Options and What to Expect in 2026
Banjul International Airport (BJL) is about 22 km south of Kololi on the coast road. The drive is simple; the arrival isn't always. Package guests are met by reps; independent travellers walk out into a busy forecourt of drivers, touts and taxi offers. Here's exactly what to do, and what it should cost.
The airport
Banjul International Airport (BJL) — also called Yundum — is small and manageable: one terminal, one arrivals hall. After immigration (which can take 30–60 minutes on busy charter slots) you collect bags and exit through customs into the public forecourt.
There's no metered taxi rank. There is an "official taxi desk" inside the terminal — rates there are above market but come with some peace of mind. The drivers just outside the doors are the free market, and their prices are negotiable downward.
Transfer options
1. Pre-booked private transfer
Booked before you fly, with a driver meeting you in arrivals holding a nameplate. The least stressful option, especially on a late-night arrival or with young children.
Typical prices (one-way, whole vehicle):
| Destination | Pre-booked transfer |
|---|---|
| Kololi / Senegambia Strip | £18–28 |
| Kotu | £18–25 |
| Bakau | £20–28 |
| Banjul city | £15–22 |
| Brikama | £20–30 |
Banjul airport transfers on Viator
2. Official airport taxi desk
Inside arrivals, the desk sells fixed-price taxi vouchers — a bit more than negotiating outside, but no haggling. Prices are posted on a board.
3. Negotiate your own taxi outside
Walk past the first wave of offers at the door and out to the car park; prices drop noticeably away from the entrance. Typical negotiated fare to Kololi: D600–800 (£7–9). The drivers are generally legitimate — they're licensed to work the airport — the only variation is in the opening price.
How to negotiate: state your destination, and when they quote, counter at 60–65% and settle in between. D700 (£8) to the Kololi Strip is a fair result; under D600 takes real persistence.
4. Package transfer (TUI, Jet2, etc.)
On a package holiday, your transfer is almost certainly included. Wait for your rep in the arrivals hall — they hold branded signs.
5. Hotel shuttle
Some hotels (mostly mid-range and up) offer pickup for guests. Email ahead — most charge D400–800 (£5–9), or include it on longer stays.
Journey times from the airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive time (normal traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Kololi / Senegambia Strip | 22 km | 25–35 min |
| Kotu | 20 km | 22–30 min |
| Bakau | 18 km | 20–28 min |
| Banjul city | 28 km | 35–50 min |
| Brikama | 14 km | 18–25 min |
| Sanyang / Gunjur (south) | 12–18 km | 15–22 min |
Traffic note: the coast road backs up at the Westfield junction (Serrekunda). Evening arrivals between 17.00 and 19.30 can add 20–30 minutes.
What to expect on arrival
Immigration: queue at the desks. UK citizens enter visa-free; have your passport open at the photo page and know your hotel name and address. 20–60 minutes depending on how many charters landed together.
Baggage: usually 20–40 minutes after landing. The belt works.
Customs: declare cash above €10,000 equivalent; otherwise you're waved through.
The exit: you come out into a forecourt of drivers, touts and hotel reps. Package guests — look for branded signs in the first zone. Independent travellers — walk through and past the first line of offers before engaging.
Change money: there's an exchange desk in arrivals, 5–10% below street rates — change just D500–1,000 for immediate needs.
Tips for arrival
- Pre-book if you land after 22.00 — negotiating at midnight with luggage and tired companions is no fun
- Have your hotel address written down — drivers need to know where you're going
- Agree the total before getting in — "we'll sort it at the other end" never ends well
- Carry your first Dalasi — change D500 at the airport desk so you've exact money for the driver
Departure — getting back to the airport
Allow 90 minutes from Kololi, 75 from Kotu, 60 from Bakau for a morning departure. Evening departures are easier. Your hotel can arrange a driver the night before; a pre-booked return with the same transfer company you used on arrival is the cleanest.
Departure fares from the tourist zone to the airport: D600–900 (£7–10.50) negotiated; hotel-arranged transfers D800–1,200.
FAQ
Is there a bus from the airport?
No scheduled public bus. Some gele-geles (minibuses) run the coast road, but they're not practical with luggage.
Do airport taxis take cards?
Almost never. Have Dalasi ready, or have your hotel arrange a transfer charged to your room.
Is it safe to take an airport taxi?
Yes — airport-licensed drivers are vetted. The risk is overpaying, not safety.
How early should I arrive for my flight?
2.5 hours for charters (TUI, Jet2). The airport is small, but check-in queues for full charter departures get long.
Arrived safely? Read the Kololi Strip guide for your first evening, and the Gambia money guide to get your Dalasi sorted.
