Transportation from City Center to Banjul Airport
Banjul, the capital and second largest city of Gambia, is an island city in West Africa. The nature and colonial structures of the city, which attracts tourists from all over the world due to its warm and sunny climate and magnificent beaches at all times of the year, make the city center worth visiting.
In the city, which welcomes travelers who want to have a different travel experience with private indoor tours throughout the year, it is an exciting experience to climb the 35-meter-high Arch 22 gate and see the swamps that separate Banjul from the mainland and the crocodiles wandering among them.
Yundum International Airport, also known as Banjul Airport, is 26 km from the city center and was originally built during World War II. One of the interesting facts about Banjul Airport is that it was an emergency landing point for NASA's space rockets until 2001.
Taxis are the most common way to get to Banjul Airport from the city center.
Generally, every hotel has green and yellow striped taxis and they go to and from the airport both within the city and from the city. Taxi fares from certain points in Banjul to the airport are fixed, but be sure to confirm this price before boarding. You can call a taxi to your hotel or you can take a taxi from the taxi stands in Banjul city center. Taxis usually run 24/7.
It takes 35 minutes to get to the airport from Banjul city center and it is a good option to arrange a private transfer for this trip, because there is no public transportation to the airport, although there is public transportation in the city center.
You can book a private transfer to Banjul Airport from reliable tour companies or from your hotel. When requesting this service, which is usually included in tour packages, you must specify your flight number and time.
If you have previously rented a car to travel in Gambia, you can choose to have this car delivered at the airport and go to Banjul Airport yourself. But keep in mind that the roads are often sand or mud and the traffic rules don't really work.
Transportation from Freetown International Airport to the City Center
Freetown is the capital of Sierra Leone in West Africa, which is the dream of many travelers. Freetown, which has a world-renowned natural harbor, is a very impressive destination with its white beaches such as Lumley Beach and Lakka Beach, seafood-oriented cuisine, tropical climate and unique culture. Did you know that this city has the second largest chimpanzee population in the world?
Freetown is located on a peninsula located on the left bank of the Sierra Leone River and has the best natural harbor on the west coast of Africa. Freetown Airport, or locally known as Lungi International Airport, is the only international airport in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone River separates the city of Freetown from the airport, 21 km from the city.
Access from the airport to Freetown is limited to a ferry crossing the river and a road that takes 4-6 hours, which is extremely dangerous at night. The ferry is the most economical and fast option, but you may have to wait in long queues to get on the ferry. In addition, they can take more passengers than necessary and crimes can be committed on these boats.
For this reason, it is recommended not to take the ferry alone or on foot. There are several ferry companies crossing the river, but during the rainy season between May and October, delays are very likely. The weather is sunny for the rest of the year and the views are truly magnificent.
Tagrin Pier, where ferries depart, is a 15-minute drive from Lungi Airport and is a pier frequented by locals heading to Freetown's city centre. The ferry you will take from here goes to Kissy Ferry Pier, east of Freetown, and the journey takes about an hour. From there, it can take a long time to get to Aberdeen, the city centre, due to traffic.
There is a bus that takes passengers from the airport and crosses the ferry to Rawdon Street in central Freetown, but it can sometimes take longer than 8 hours.
There are also private boats that cross the river, but they are not very safe either.
Especially avoid using fishing boats. Sea Coach Express is a reliable transfer company and you can go to Aberdeen, the center of Freetown, from the Mahera Hotel Pier near the airport in about 20 minutes. But if you don't want to get wet, you should mention that you want a big boat at the time of booking.
In addition, Sea Bird Express is another reliable private transfer company. Apart from these, you can also use water taxis from the airport to the city.
If you have a flight that lands at Freetown Airport at night, it is best to wait for the morning to arrive and go to the city center. There are some hotels and hostels near Freetown Airport, but it's a good idea to book in advance as they fill up very quickly.
It is also possible to go to the city center from Freetown Airport by road. The road to the city, passing through Port Loko at the point where the river starts, can take 4-5 hours depending on the traffic and road condition. Although there are car rental companies at the airport, cars are not always available, so booking a private transfer vehicle in advance is the safest method.