The Gambia, known as the 'Smiling Coast of Africa,' is a captivating West African nation offering pristine Atlantic beaches, vibrant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage along the winding River Gambia. Despite being Africa's smallest mainland country, it packs incredible experiences from crocodile pools to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Public
- Minibuses (gelegeles) and shared bush taxis cover most routes cheaply but involve long waits and crowding. GTSC buses serve upcountry routes. No metro or train system in Gambia.
- Taxi
- Two types: green tourist taxis (negotiated fare) and yellow-striped shared local taxis (fixed price). Tourist taxis reliable but expensive; shared taxis cheap but complicated routes for non-Gambians.
- Rental
- Car hire available from $35-90/day. Good for exploring south coast and upcountry. International Driving Permit required. Drive on the right.
- Walking
- The Senegambia/Kololi tourist strip is very walkable, as are Fajara and Kotu resort areas. Banjul city centre walkable but hot. Remote areas require transport.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official airport taxi to Banjul - $25-30
- Shuttle
- Airport taxi to Kololi/Senegambia - $30-35
- Bus
- Pre-booked hotel transfer - $25-40
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'description': 'Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) operates bus routes from Banjul to upcountry destinations. Domestic routes: Banjul-Basse (D150-200), Barra-Laminkoto. International: Banjul-Dakar (D1000), Banjul-Bissau (D700). Minibuses (gelegeles) are main form of public transport.', 'cost': 'Minibus: D10-25 for local routes, D50-150 for longer distances'}
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bush_taxi
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- {'description': 'Two types: Green tourist taxis (more expensive, negotiate fare) and yellow-striped local taxis (cheaper, often shared). Tourist taxis found at hotels and tourist areas. Local taxis operate shared routes at fixed prices.', 'cost': 'Tourist taxi base: D200-300, then D50-100 per km. Shared taxi: D10-20 for short routes. Banjul-Kololi: D150-200 private, D25-50 shared'}
- Apps
- No Uber/Bolt. Some local apps like Teranga Ride available but limited coverage
- App Names
- No Uber/Bolt. Some local apps like Teranga Ride available but limited coverage
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
GTSC operates scheduled bus services to major towns. More comfortable than bush taxis but less frequent. Main routes connect Banjul with Basse (Eastern Gambia) and other regional centers.
Flights
No scheduled domestic flights due to small size of country. Charter flights can be arranged for tourist camps in eastern Gambia.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Banjul International Airport
From centre: 24 km from Banjul, 30 km to Kololi resort area
Options: Official airport taxi to Banjul - $25-30; Airport taxi to Kololi/Senegambia - $30-35; Pre-booked hotel transfer - $25-40; Shared taxi after checkpoint - $10-15; Local minibus (gelegele) from main road - $1-2
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Teranga Ride
Limited local ride-hailing app with some coverage in greater Banjul area — useful but not widely available
Most local taxi drivers and tour operators communicate through WhatsApp — get your hotel's recommended driver numbers on WhatsApp for easy bookings
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always negotiate and agree the taxi fare before getting in — tourist taxis have no meters
Green tourist taxis are reliable and safer at night; yellow shared taxis are much cheaper but routes can be confusing
Download the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) schedule for upcountry bus times — buses to Basse and Georgetown depart Serrekunda
Police checkpoints are common on all roads — always carry passport or a certified copy
Avoid driving after dark — speed bumps are unmarked, animals roam roads, and lighting is poor
The Banjul-Barra ferry is an essential part of any North Bank trip — arrive early as queues can be long
Fuel up before leaving tourist areas — petrol stations become scarce heading upcountry