Cheap flights to Banjul
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Banjul and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
Gambia
Continent
Africa
Airport
BJL
Currency
Dalasi (GMD)
Time zone
UTC
Deals already spotted to Banjul
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
Loading examples…
Why track Banjul with SniperAir
You do not need to compare prices every day
Choose your departure
Enter your departure airport and your maximum budget for a flight to Banjul (BJL).
SniperAir keeps watch
Our systems continuously compare new prices with the real price history of the route. SniperAir monitors prices and alerts you: it does not sell or book tickets.
You receive an alert
As soon as a price matches your criteria, you are notified, without having searched for anything yourself.
Banjul is the capital of The Gambia, but it works best as a gateway: the international airport (BJL), Arch 22, Albert Market and the national museum are on the island or very close, while the beaches, hotels and nightlife stretch along the Atlantic coast at Serrekunda, Kotu and Kololi. This page covers the city and that coast, with no operators and no prices. SniperAir monitors flight prices to BJL and alerts you; it does not sell or book tickets.
A general reminder before booking: official travel advice differs from one departure country to another and can change. Read the advice of your own country before creating an alert, and again before any purchase. For health, ask a doctor or a vaccination centre well before departure: yellow fever and malaria are the usual topics.
Banjul sits on St Mary's Island, where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic. The British founded it in 1816 as a trading post and a base against the slave trade, and it was called Bathurst until 1973, according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES). The island is narrow and hemmed in by mangroves, so the city could not grow, and Wikivoyage (EN) explains that most commerce and tourism moved to the mainland. We publish no population figure, because sources range from about 26,000 to 40,000 depending on the year.
Airport and getting into town
Banjul (BJL), about twenty kilometres from the capital
Banjul International Airport (BJL, formerly Yundum)
Banjul International Airport, also called Yundum, is the country's only international airport according to Wikipedia (EN, DE). It lies about 24 km from the capital according to Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES). Wikivoyage (EN) adds that the stretch between the airport and the city is now densely populated. We give no precise journey time and no list of airlines, which change from season to season.
Approximate distance from Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES); Wikivoyage (EN) does not state one. No taxi fares are published: the figures in our sources are old or come from a single page.
The Denton Bridge and the Banjul-Serrekunda highway link the island to the mainland, according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES). A ferry crosses the river mouth to Barra, the starting point of the road north towards Senegal, in about 35 minutes according to Wikivoyage (DE); waiting times for cars can be long.
Wikipedia (EN, ES) also notes that Banjul lies on the Trans-West African Coastal Highway, intended to link the city with Dakar, Bissau and other capitals of the region. For a coastal stay, most visitors simply land at the airport and take a taxi to their hotel.
Landmarks
Arch 22, tin roofs and the Atlantic coast
Banjul is not a monumental city: Wikivoyage (ES) sees a genuinely African town best explored on foot, with timber colonial houses, balconies and corrugated roofs. The places pictured below are described from our sources; the others appear as text only.
Arch 22, the capital's gateway
At 35 m tall according to Wikipedia (EN, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage (FR, EN), the arch stands at the heart of a junction on Independence Drive. It was built to mark the 22 July 1994 takeover and opened on 22 July 1996, according to Wikipedia (DE, ES). Wikipedia (EN, ES) says it houses a textile museum, and Wikipedia (DE) calls it a good viewpoint over the town. In this view it rises above a roundabout planted with palms.
The arch from above
From the air the monument shows its structure: a gabled front decorated with bas-reliefs, carried on tall fluted columns, with a terrace beneath the arch. The ocean can be made out on the horizon, a reminder that the capital is built on the edge of the estuary.
Tin roofs and minarets
This view shows the everyday face of the city: corrugated roofs, low buildings and a large mosque with two minarets, with the estuary beyond. Wikipedia (DE) presents the King Fahad Mosque, built in 1988, as the largest in the country; Wikipedia (EN) calls it the largest in Banjul. We do not identify the mosque in the photo with certainty.
Kotu, a beach on the Atlantic coast
West of Banjul the coast offers long sandy beaches. Wikivoyage (DE) describes Kotu as quieter than Kololi, good for walks and birdwatching, and Wikivoyage (EN) mentions a birdwatching trail along Kotu Stream. Here, thatched parasols and red sunloungers line the shore under the coconut palms. Wikivoyage (EN) warns that currents can be strong and that no lifeguards are on duty, so follow local swimming advice.
Kololi at sunset
Kololi, surrounded by Bijilo forest, is a resort town near Serrekunda whose "Strip" leads to the beaches and hotels, according to Wikipedia (EN). At dusk the Atlantic turns orange and grey under the clouds, a late-afternoon scene for beach walkers.
Other places cited by Wikipedia (EN, FR, ES): the presidential State House, the Court House, two cathedrals and several mosques. Bijilo Forest Park, nicknamed Monkey Park, covers 51.3 ha and has a 4.5 km nature trail with several monkey species, according to Wikipedia (EN). Abuko Nature Reserve, about a hundred hectares, lies on the airport road according to Wikivoyage (DE), and the Kachikally crocodile pool in Bakau is cited by Wikivoyage (EN). Access and opening times change: check locally.
Museums and culture
National museum, Albert Market and living culture
The national museum
Wikipedia (DE, ES) places the national museum on Gloucester Street; it covers the colonial past and recent Gambian history. Wikipedia (ES) also mentions handwritten Quran pages and a display on "juju magic". Wikivoyage (EN) calls it a small museum of cultural and historical artefacts. Hours and fees change: we publish none.
African Heritage Museum and Arch 22
Wikivoyage (EN) lists the African Heritage Museum, both museum and art gallery, with a large collection of African art and statues. The textile museum inside Arch 22, mentioned by Wikipedia (EN, ES) and Wikivoyage (FR, EN), rounds out a half-day visit.
Albert Market and crafts
Albert Market, a legacy of the colonial era according to Wikivoyage (ES), is a mix of colours, spices, fabrics and food; Wikipedia (ES) mentions crafts and herbs there. Beyond Banjul, Wikipedia (ES) points to the craft markets of Serrekunda and Brikama and to the "Wide Open Walls" street art in Bafuloto and Makumbaya. Wikivoyage (DE) warns that some organised tours almost always end at a "crafts" shop.
A society of many origins
Wikipedia (EN) notes that Bathurst drew Wolof, Mandinka, Jola and Fula people from its earliest years, along with Levantine and European traders, and that Islamic schools have existed there since the first years. That mix shows in the markets, the music and the food.
Food and drink
Domoda, river fish and attaya tea
Everyday dishes
According to Wikipedia (EN, FR), Gambian cooking is close to that of neighbouring Senegal. Domoda, a stew made with peanut paste, is the national dish per Wikipedia (EN). You will also find benachin, rice cooked in a single pot, chicken or fish yassa, and supakanja, an okra stew made with palm oil.
River and sea
Fish, rice and peanuts are the staples according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, ES). Oysters from the Gambia River are gathered by women, and Wikivoyage (EN) praises the seafood on the coast and the locally grown peanuts.
Drinks and evenings
Attaya is sweet green tea brewed three times over a small charcoal stove; wonjo is a chilled hibiscus drink; baobab juice, or bouyi, is made with milk and sugar (Wikipedia EN, FR). Wikivoyage (EN) notes that Banjul is quiet at night and that nightlife is concentrated on the mainland around the "Senegambia Strip".
Places to eat
We name no restaurant and no brand: the addresses in our sources are old and commercial. On the coast, the road leading to the Kololi hotels is known for its many restaurants, according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Getting around
Green and yellow taxis, the ferry and some caution
Taxis and minibuses
Wikivoyage (EN, ES) distinguishes green taxis, reserved for tourists at fixed rates, from cheaper yellow taxis with a green stripe, shared like collective taxis. Wikivoyage (DE) says shared minibuses are called "gelli-gelli". The prices on those pages are old: we publish none.
Bridge, ferry and roads
The Denton Bridge links the island to the mainland and the Barra ferry crosses the estuary (Wikipedia EN, FR; Wikivoyage DE). Wikivoyage (EN) says many roads are sandy in winter and muddy for the rest of the year, and that driving rules are loosely observed: a driver is often a better choice than a rental car.
On foot
Wikivoyage (ES) points out that the city is small and can be covered on foot. It does advise against visiting the centre alone at weekends, when there are fewer police.
Staying alert
Wikivoyage (EN, ES) mentions pickpocketing around the market and transport terminals, as well as scams and persistent sellers. Change money at a bank or licensed exchange bureau, and avoid walking alone through poorly lit streets after dark.
Budget and precautions
Budget and precautions
Price level
We give no range: prices in our sources date from 2015 to 2019 or appear on a single page only. The currency is the dalasi (GMD). Wikivoyage (DE, EN) notes that ATMs cap withdrawals and that transport and restaurant prices are usually fixed, with everything else negotiable.
Air travel and official advice
SniperAir monitors prices to BJL and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Official travel advice differs from one departure country to another and can change: read your own country's advice before creating an alert, and again before any purchase.
Health and entry rules
Entry conditions depend on your nationality and change: check official websites. Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre well before departure: yellow fever and malaria are the usual topics. Wikivoyage (DE) adds that tap water is not drinkable.
When to go
A tropical savanna climate, dry from November to May
Dry season (November to May)
Wikipedia (EN, FR) places the long dry season from November to May. Wikivoyage (EN) calls it travellers' favourite: sunny days, lower humidity, negligible rain and ocean breezes in the evening.
Wet season (about June to October)
The remaining five months are short but bring heavy downpours, with August the wettest according to Wikipedia (EN, FR). Wikivoyage (EN) notes that low-lying streets on the island can become muddy or flooded. Wikivoyage (DE) places the rains from July to September: the sources do not quite agree.
Warm all year
Wikipedia (EN, FR) explains that maximum temperatures vary little through the year, while morning minima are warmer in the wet season. Wikipedia (ES) calls the city hot all year.
Tourist season
Wikivoyage (DE) puts the high season from late October to March. That window is not a price indicator: SniperAir does not claim that any month is cheaper than another.
Sources classify Banjul's climate as tropical savanna (Köppen: Aw). We give no monthly averages and no annual rainfall total, as they vary by station and year. To choose dates, watching BJL flight prices early helps compare several periods.
By length of stay
What to see in Banjul and on the coast depending on your stay
The arch, the market and the museum
Banjul is small: half a day to a day covers Arch 22, Albert Market, the national museum and a walk among the colonial houses, according to Wikivoyage (ES).
Beaches and Bijilo forest
Add a beach at Kotu or Kololi, Bijilo Forest Park and the large Serrekunda market, which Wikivoyage (DE) describes as lively.
Longer excursions
With more time, Wikivoyage (EN, DE) cites Abuko Nature Reserve, Tanji Bird Reserve, Barra and Fort Bullen, Juffureh and Kunta Kinteh Island (UNESCO). Choose official guides and never pay strangers in advance.
In pictures
Banjul and its coast in pictures
You might also like
Similar destinations
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Banjul
Where is Banjul airport?
Banjul International Airport (BJL, formerly Yundum) is about 24 km from the capital according to Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES). It is the country's only international airport. We quote no taxi fares.
What is there to see in Banjul?
Arch 22 and its textile museum, Albert Market, the national museum, the presidential State House and the King Fahad Mosque. On the coast: the beaches at Kotu and Kololi, Bijilo Forest Park and the Kachikally pool in Bakau.
When is the best time to go?
Sources place the dry season, the busiest, from November to May and the rains from about June to October, with August the wettest. That climate information says nothing about flight prices.
Is Banjul safe for travellers?
Wikivoyage (EN) describes it as a relatively safe capital but cites pickpocketing, persistent sellers and strong sea currents. Official advice differs by departure country: read your own country's advice before any booking.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations for The Gambia?
Entry conditions depend on your nationality and change: check official websites. For health, ask a doctor or a vaccination centre well before departure: yellow fever and malaria are the usual topics.
Should I stay in Banjul or on the coast?
According to Wikivoyage (EN, DE), most travellers stay on the Atlantic coast, at Serrekunda, Kotu, Kololi or Bakau, where the hotels and beaches are. Banjul is mostly a day visit. We recommend no particular establishment.
How much does a flight to Banjul usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Banjul drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Banjul (BJL) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
Ready to head to Banjul?
Set your budget and let SniperAir monitor fares for you.
Create my alert