The Gambia

Travel to The Gambia

The main flight route operating between the UK and The Gambia flies out of London to Banjul International Airport, also known as Yundum. During the peak season additional routes are added with Manchester offering an alternative for travellers from the north of the country. It's also possible to drive into the country from Senegal but this may prove a lot more hassle for very little saving.

On arrival in The Gambia

Most resorts send a shuttle bus to the airport to ferry travellers to and fro, but if you are making your own way around there are a couple of options. An official taxi service is available from the airport to Banjul and Atlantic resorts. Prices are fixed so there's no use trying to haggle! Car hire is available and will set you up for the duration of your holiday. However if you do hire a car a 4x4 is recommended as the majority of the roads in The Gambia are unpaved.

Getting around The Gambia

Organised trips or hiring your own vehicle are really the only ways of travelling any great distance, although hitch-hiking is generally more accepted in The Gambia than in the UK. Don't use your thumb as it's an offensive gesture, wave instead. Don't hitch-hike at night and be prepared to pay the driver a reasonable sum.

For shorter journeys hiring a bike or using a taxi is easier. Green taxis are for tourists and yellow ones are for locals. The green ones naturally charge more, so if you're on a budget head outside the tourist areas to hire a yellow taxi if you can.

Another popular mode of transport across The Gambia for tourists is by boat. A number of operators run week-long cruises up the River Gambia starting at Banjul. Minibuses also run along the north and south banks of the rivers - though be warned that the roads are in a very poor state so the ride will be fairly bumpy!

Travelling further afield

Unsurprisingly, given the geography of The Gambia, your only onward options are all to Senegal. It's possible to get a bus from Barra (near Banjul) to Dakar. It's also possible - though much more expensive - to charter a fishing vessel from Banjul to Dakar.