Banjul Airport Guide

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.

The [old] terminal was simply a shack complete with lizards and snakes hiding in the roof space – unknown

BJL Airport Overview

Banjul International Airport (code: BJL) has a single terminal serving regional and European destinations. Facilities include a few shops, casual eateries, a restaurant and airport lounges. Dining and shopping options are limited outside regular flight hours.

Sleeping in Banjul Airport

There is little firsthand information about sleeping at Banjul Airport, so it’s difficult to know what to expect if you’re planning to spend the night. Overnight access has not been confirmed, and there are no dedicated sleeping areas in the terminal. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service.

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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. Browse the complete list of hotels near Banjul Airport on Kayak.

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, 1st Floor. After security, turn left and then left again.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM daily; hours may vary according to flight schedules. Closed December 25. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs and participating credit card programs • Eligible premium / elite airline passengers.

Roumieh Business Lounge
Location: Airside, International Departures, 2nd Floor, opposite the lifts.
Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes – quiet area and day beds available. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Participating credit card programs • Eligible Business and First Class passengers. Maximum stay 3 hours.

Airport Services & Facilities

Food & Drinks: A few restaurants and casual eateries are available, but 24-hour dining has not been confirmed.

WiFi/Internet: Internet access is available for a fee through the airport’s business centre. Free public WiFi has not been confirmed.

Other Services: ATMs dispensing Gambian dalasi, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, a few retail shops and a Welcome Desk are available.

Transportation: Taxis meet scheduled arrivals. They are not metered, but fixed fares for popular destinations are posted outside the terminal. For other destinations, agree on a price before getting in. Paying in Gambian dalasi may be cheaper than using foreign currency. Car rentals are also available.

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.

Help Keep This Airport Guide Updated

Have you recently travelled through Banjul Airport? If any information is outdated or missing, we’d love to hear from you. Your updates help fellow travellers know what to expect.