Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Bangui Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Customer service is very poor and everything moves very slowly. Yet there are resources to hire people to check my passport 9 times between arrival at the airport and boarding of the flight. – a traveller
BGF Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Bangui-M’poko International Airport.
What to Expect
Bangui Airport (code: BGF) has a single, small terminal that seems ill-prepared for travellers. Expect long security lines (arrive early), employees asking for bribes, crowds, dirty facilities, limited air conditioning, and a lack of seating. One reviewer commented that his passport had been checked 9 times, so visitors should have their passport ready. According to one of our readers, those flying with Air France can check in at the city office before heading to the airport to save some time (March, 2018). Tissue and hand sanitiser are also recommended when visiting the washrooms. WiFi is available in the airport lounge, which economy class passengers can pay to enter. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for its location and access information.
Sleeping in Bangui Airport
We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Bangui Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
As of this update, we were unable to confirm airport hours of operation. We recommend that you read a few reviews before deciding to sleep in the airport overnight. If you know the airport hours, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hotels
There are no hotels at Bangui Airport, but you will find several in the city centre (20 minutes away). Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Bangui, search deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
VIP Lounge – This lounge is available to first and business class passengers of certain airlines and/or holders of a VIP lounge card. Location: Departure Hall, Landside. Hours: Unknown. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door (10,000 FCFA/approx. US$17).
Food & Drinks
One of our readers reported the presence of a bar in the waiting room where to buy something to drink and some very basic snacks.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this airport guide.
Mobile Charging
At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Bangui Airport inside the lounge. Outside of the lounge, you will need to pay for internet access. Fee: Unknown.
More Airport Information
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available. Locations: Main Hall and Arrivals Hall.
Drinking Water – Information is unavailable. Your safest bet will be to purchase bottled water.
Information Desk – Have any questions? Staff at the information desk should be able to answer any of your airport-related questions. Location: Landside, Main Hall.
Post Office – Send your last minute postcards to friends and family from airport’s post office. Hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Mon – Sat).
SIM Cards – SIM cards are sold throughout the airport.
Bangui airport is served by the following airlines: Air France • ASKY • Kenya Airways • Royal Air Maroc.
Car Rental
Car rental agencies are available onsite.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update we were unable to find any hotels that provide airport shuttle service. See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis are available outside the terminal. They are recognizable by their yellow colour. The taxis are not metered, so you should establish the fare before entering the taxi! Although typical fares vary, a typical ride from the airport to the city costs 2500 – 5500 FCFA (approx. $5 – $10 USD).
Staff
Generally, the airport staff are described as highly inefficient. Travellers should also expect people asking for bribes. One of our readers commented: “Passport control is usually relatively quick. Then comes the security check, where again there are at least hints that bribes should be paid (“Ça ne va pas, Papa” in a plaintive voice is the most common phrase).”
Safety & Security
We have reports of corrupt staff demanding bribes at Bangui Airport. It’s always best to keep your wits about you, and if you’re not feeling safe, opt for an extra cup of coffee and sleep on the plane!
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag straps.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Last updated: 2024-02-17
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.