Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Banjul (BJL): 20 km southwest of the city.

• Full list of airports in the Gambia with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are excellent river connections to all parts of the country, with over 10 points where travellers can cross the River Gambia by boat. There are also passenger and vehicle ferries running from Banjul's commercial port to Barra, the town facing it across the river mouth. Services run hourly (or more frequently) until late evening, with a journey time of approximately 30 to 50 minutes.

Cars may be hired in Greater Banjul, although visitors are recommended to check with major companies before travelling. However, variable road conditions mean that driving can be difficult; unpaved roads can become impassable during the rainy season (June to October). Approximately a third of the Gambia's roads are paved (almost all located in the districts around Banjul), with almost all minor roads unsealed. Outside the Greater Banjul area, a highway building and repair programme has been underway for several years.

All local bus services have been suspended indefinitely, and so taxis (private or shared) are the only form of public road transport between towns and villages. Shared taxis operate a fixed fare scheme, and consist of cars, minibuses or vans, which wait at their starting point until full, and then travel along fixed routes, stopping wherever passengers want to get on or off. Private taxis are not metered; private tourist taxis (painted green) run from ranks in the resort areas and operate a fixed tariff by destination. Private local taxis (painted yellow with green stripes) can be hailed in the street; travellers should always agreed the fare (which should be cheaper than the tourist taxi fares) in advance.