 TRANSPORTATION |
 International Travel |
Air
The Gambia's national airline is Gambia International Airlines (GM), head office in Banjul. Tel: 226733, 227778/9, 226347 Fax: 229339
International flight time: From London to Banjul is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes (direct).
International airport: Banjul (BJL) (Yundum International) is 29km (18 miles) southeast of the city. Taxis are available to the city. During 1989 NASA upgraded the airport's facilities and it is now an emergency space shuttle landing site.
Two major European airlines - Sabena and Swissair - together with several sub-regional carriers operate regular flights into Banjul. In addition several tour operators charter their own flights to The Gambia.
Sea
Passenger accommodation on cargo boats sailing regularly from Liverpool, London and other European ports (eight to ten days) are run by West African Conference Lines, which include Elder Dempster, Palm Line, Guinea Gulf, Nigerian National, Black Star, Hoegh Lines. There are two sailings a month. Cruise ships also call at Banjul. Around 400 or more crafts dock at port annually.
Road
Banjul can be reached by road from Dakar by the Trans-Gambia Highway, 480km (300 miles) long, which crosses the River Gambia by ferry between Farafenni and Mansa Konko as there is no bridge over the Gambia River. An alternative crossing is the car ferry between Barra and Banjul, a distance of 320km (200 miles). Government buses also run between The Gambia and Senegal, via Barra to Koalack and Dakar; there is also a high-class Gambian coach service.
| | Internal Travel |
Local buses
Local buses going out from Banjul to the villages. During the summer season - July to October some roads can be very difficult to traverse. For journeys up country we do, however, recommend you book private transport should you not wish to join the organized tour programs.
Taxis
Taxis are considered the easiest form of transport for short nuns and they are always available outside the main hotels. Fares are Government controlled and should be displayed at each taxi rank (located near the hotels). Taxis do not however have meters and the price of the journey should be confirmed before departure - it is normal to tip taxi drivers.
If visiting a restaurant, check that the tariff includes 2 hours waiting time and the return journey - which is advisable as taxis are not always available outside restaurants later in the evening.
Car hire
At the moment, there are only a very limited number of self-drive cars available for hire. If you go in for car hire, you should be extra careful because of the lack of adequate traffic signs and good road surfaces.
Private Drivers
Few drivers are consistent, however Sulayman Bun Faye, from "On Time" is reliable, knows every corner of The Gambia and its surroundings, and is always ON TIME. You can contact him via Email, in order to pick you up at the airport, or call him when you have arrived at the following contacts:
Tel: (220) 372326
Fax: (220) 372326
Cell: (220) 994397
Email: ontimetrans@yahoo.com
Address: P.O.Box 3279, Serrekunda, The Gambia
Another very reliable driver is Ousman, a yellow cab driver, whom you can contact at: (220) 993320 |
