Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Banjul 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.
Quick Links
The [old] terminal was simply a shack complete with lizards and snakes hiding in the roof space – unknown
BJL 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 Banjul International Airport.
What to Expect
Banjul Airport (code: BJL) has a single terminal providing service to regional and European destinations. You’ll find a range of casual eateries, a restaurant, and a few shops, though nothing is open 24 hours. Internet is available in the business center for a fee. For added comfort, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for its location and rates.
Sleeping in Banjul Airport
Unfortunately, we do not have any recent reviews from travellers who have slept at this airport. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Banjul Airport Guide.
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.
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.
Airport Hours
As of this update, we could not confirm whether the terminal operates 24 hours. Overnight access may be limited outside scheduled flight activity. Travellers considering an overnight stay should review recent traveller reviews before planning to sleep here. If you know the airport hours, 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.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
There are no hotels connected to the terminal. Nearby accommodation options are located in Old Yundum, Serekunda, Brufut, Bijilo, and Banjul city, generally within 1–5 miles (1.6–8 km). These range from guesthouses and small lodges to larger resorts. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Banjul that can be sorted by price, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter through a lounge membership program.
First Class Lounge – Location: Airside, International Departures, near the main boarding gates (after passport control and security). Hours: Based on flight schedules (typically opens 2 hours before international departures). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (approx. GMD 1,000–1,500 per person, subject to availability) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card reward programs • Access for business class and elite passengers of select airlines.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food outlets throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, we could not confirm the availability of 24-hour dining.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage services and lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We could not confirm the availability of public charging stations or power outlets. Travellers should carry a fully charged device and consider a power bank. If you information to add, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Showers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Internet access is reported to be available through the airport’s business center. Some travellers report purchasing local SIM cards or USB internet sticks from mobile providers in The Gambia, which can be activated for use during their stay.
Security & Safety
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 strap.
- 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.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available and dispense local currency (GMD) only. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limits before travelling internationally.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available through Trust Bank.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available for international departures. A small selection of newsstands and retail shops can also be found throughout the terminal.
Information Desk – A Welcome Desk is available to assist travellers with general questions and directions.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Car Rentals
Hertz has a kiosk onsite at the airport. Some local car rental agencies offer pick-up on arrival.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, no hotels offered airport shuttle service. See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available for all scheduled arrivals. Taxis are not metered, but main destinations have a fixed rate indicated outside the terminal. Any ride outside the fixed destinations must be negotiated with the driver before entering the vehicle. Pay with Dalasi if possible, as fares are higher when paid with foreign currency. For information on fares, routes, and schedules, visit the Banjul Airport website.
Last updated: 2026-02-05
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.