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Flights to The Gambia

Reaching The Gambia by Air

​International Flights to Banjul (BJL)

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Banjul International Airport is well connected to Europe and beyond, with seasonal and year-round flights operating from a range of international hubs.

Flight routes and frequencies change regularly, particularly between winter and summer seasons, so we recommend using the information below as a starting point, not a guarantee.

Seasonal European Flights (Example: 2024–25 Winter Season

During the winter season, The Gambia is served by a mix of direct charter flights and scheduled services from across Europe.

Examples of airlines and operators that have operated winter routes include:

From the UK & Northern Europe

  • The Gambia Experience

  • TUI Airways

  • TUI fly Belgium

  • TUI fly Netherlands

  • TUI fly Deutschland

  • Apollo Travel Group

  • Novaturas Rainbow Tours

  • Corendon Airlines

  • TAP Air Portugal

These routes are typically most frequent between October and April.

Year Round & Connecting Flights- travellers from Outside Europe including America, Australia and Asia

Such travellers  usually reach The Gambia via one or more connections.
Airlines that regularly operate scheduled services to Banjul, often via hubs, include:

  • Royal Air Maroc (via Casablanca

  • Brussels Airlines

  • Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)

  • Air Senegal

  • ASKY Airlines

  • Vueling

  • Air Peace

An Alternative Route: Flying via Dakar (Senegal)

Some travellers choose to fly into Dakar, Senegal, and then continue overland into The Gambia.

This option is often used by:

  • Visitors already travelling in West Africa

  • Overlanders and long-stay travellers

  • Those finding better flight availability or pricing into Dakar

From Dakar, onward travel is possible by road via Senegal, usually passing through The Gambia border crossings before continuing to the coast or inland to Janjanbureh.
 

What to Consider

  • The journey involves border crossings, which can add time

  • Travel times vary depending on traffic, road conditions, and formalities

  • This route is better suited to confident or experienced travellers

For visitors unfamiliar with the region, flying directly to Banjul is generally the simplest option.

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Practical Advice

If you are considering travelling via Dakar and continuing by road, we recommend:

  • Checking visa requirements for Senegal in advance

  • Allowing flexibility in your travel schedule

  • Contacting us before travel for current route advice

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Flying Between Dakar and  Banjul

This is also an option if travellers want to spend time exploring Senegal​.

Flights are offered by Air Senegal

Recent Route Developments - Direct flights from Lagos, Nigeria

In the last year, Nigeria has introduced direct flights to Banjul, strengthening regional connections within West Africa.

These services are particularly useful for travellers coming from Nigeria and neighbouring countries, and for international visitors connecting through West African hubs.

Airlines operating or associated with these routes include Air Peace, alongside other regional carriers.

As with all routes, frequencies may change seasonally, so travellers are advised to check current schedules at the time of booking.

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Read here about the first direct flight

Staying Up to Date

Because routes and schedules change, the best way to get current, traveller-tested advice is through active travel communities and official airline listings.

Visitors often find the following forums helpful:

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These groups are particularly useful for:

  • Seasonal route updates

  • Charter flight announcements

  • Connecting flight tips

 

A Practical Note

If you’re unsure which route works best from your part of the world, contact us before booking. We may be able to  share recent experiences from travellers arriving via different routes.

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